The famous and record holder French cyclist, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His first reaction was, "I am going to die". But with faith in God he changed in mind "Life" instead of "Death", and Armstrong proved himself to be a cancer survivor. And he even won the Tour de France cycling championship again. While the doctors the doctors found his recovery unbelievable, Lance firmly believed that s mind that thinks positive can conquer the body.
Himadri Paul, a student IIT- Mumbai, had a fall from second floor resulting in multiple fractures in his spinal cord, hand and legs. Doctors were doubtful if he would ever be able to walk again. Himadri felt devastated. But he began for looking for hope in the Bhagwad Gita. Himadri took his first step of walk after one and a half year, and is back at IIT. Thanks to positive thinking once again.
Positive thinking has been proved scientifically in labs. Dr. Rajesh Parekh, Neuro-psychiatrist at Mumbai says, "Laboratory tests have proved that there's a lower count of WBCs, which fight infections, among depressed people. Thus our moods do have a bearing on our immunity function". Further, clinical studies too prove that stress can impede wounds from healing, and impair the effectiveness of vaccines.
The effects on life span were studied for 23 years at the Yale University in the US. Published in 2002, the study proved that optimists lived seven years longer than pessimists. The study used 660 subjects and established their attitudes. Then researchers followed the fate of 660 subjects over the next 23 years. According to this study, positive thinking is more important in longevity than lower or higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Gloomy people, the pessimists have cells that age more rapidly. This difference in the rate of cellular ageing is equivalent to shaving off seven years off the lives of pessimists.
According to Bangalore-based orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Deepak Sharan, positive thinking has been proved to affect musculoskeletal disorders, "Dr. John Sarno of the New York University School of Medicine, has showed that psychological factors often trigger the back-pain and other musculoskeletal disorders, instead of structural defects," he says. "It's called 'tension myositis syndrome', where pain acts as a diversion from negative thoughts. The brain reduces the blood flow to the affected areas, resulting in a build-up of waste materials and inducing pain."
Positive thinking by mothers is translated for positive outcomes babies well. "Mother's touch is essential for the survival of sick babies", says Dr. Armeida Fernandez, the pediatrician from Mumbai, "Mothers must hold their babies and convey the message to them that they 'must live'."
Psycho-endocrinology is a science that studies the effects of psychology on hormonal system of a person. "Psycho" means mind and "Soma" means body. Spiralling negative thoughts can send the hormonal system into disarray and suppress GABA (GABA Amino Benzoic Acid), an amino-acid derivative that's a calming substance. "The hormone cortisol;, which is released in the body in the agitated states, increases radically with stress," explains Dr. Anjali Chhabria, the psychiatrist from Mumbai. "However, this hormone is more than a simple marker of stress levels, it's necessary for the functioning of several body parts. Excesses or deficiencies of this crucial hormone can lead to various physical symptoms and disease states."
Are there any therapies based on the power of positive thinking? 'Laughter clubs are based on this assumption," says Dr. Parekh, "Studies have also shown that prayer helps in recovery, by making patients more optimistic."
So, in order to get well fast, from pediatrics to geriatrics (young and old), pray, laugh and think positive, even when swallowing those very bitter pills.