In this changing world of today, only those that have encountered the tribulations and stress of this era can actually claim to know about how difficult life has become. Many agree that only those that have suffered can attest to the pain that sometimes life throws your way. And sometimes, what we think is beneficial for us ends to be quite destructive instead. A prominent example would be the destruction that we see around us, all the fighting and bloodshed may seem to be a solution to some but for most it is a period of much suffering.
What's disconcerting is that all the sadness around is something that can’t be expressed in any scientific term to propel research. But somehow, researchers of today are shifting towards this area of research that deals with feelings, emotions and our psychology. This entire means is that science of today is moving towards that domain too that was previously restricted to only philosophy and wisdom. Can sorrow cause a similar effect as that of physical pain? Today science has something to say about this too. Without doubt, this is the beginning of a downfall since almost everyone feels lonely today. Distances have come between us and the new companion for our heart is now the sorrow and depression that surrounds us. And if somebody does not have someone to lighten up with, this becomes really dangerous.
Our heart is affected by what we think:
Science today tells us that if we are unable to control our negative thoughts, we are left at the doorstep of a lot many diseases that are related to the brain. Cardiovascular health is effected by our mental health too besides our diet and exercise. A new field known as Psycholo-cardiology is being researched too. 50 percent of heart attacks are not caused by increased cholesterol in diet. Instead they are caused by stress that is mostly brought about by financial or family troubles. And today Science is actively trying to get to the bottom of this. The experience of one nurse supports this very claim too, that a distress has some connection with heart diseases too.
The nurse relayed the story of a 50 year old man who had come over for treatment of some minor heart related problem. He was expected to be treated within 2-3 days but somehow he was in the hospital for 6 days and this was become he had become really depressed and his extreme emotions were effecting his heart too. Tests showed that every distressing episode in which that man felt extreme sorrow would cause a reduced blood flow to his heart. And within one year, he died of another heart attack.
Comfort and Affection can heal our heart:
Technological advancement surely in some ways has contributed to increased loneliness too. A 61 year old person on a high position suffered a heart attack. Previously his family life was pretty problematic, his job was pretty stressful and he was pretty isolated too. The patient himself started reading medical literature since his Doctor was unaware of his mental health and his recommendations were restricted to diet, exercise or medicine only. The person realized that the way he was living was quite dangerous for his health. Hence, he joined a support group and began to pay attention to his relationships that were previously ignored. This helped him recover in the best possible way and soon he was able to be grateful that his illness had helped him to connect with people on a deeper level. Affection and comfort is quite pivotal a factor in maintaining the correct functioning of our body and it’s something quite different from the molecular and medicinal realm of our health. If affection could be bottled and sold, it would have been a crime for any doctor not to recommend it.
Research shows that loneliness makes us more susceptible to heart disease than smoking, genes, diet, medicines, exercise or surgery. The main reason behind this is that lonely people come to the point where they just think that since nobody cares for them, what’s the point of living? And often loneliness leads to smoking, over-eating or drinking. Some patients when asked about their reason for smoking point to this very factor and this makes them refuse the recommendation to not smoke.
They then think that cigarettes are their only solace.
Loneliness alone can cause us to die early:
Research also shows that those men and women that think that are loved are more likely to have no blockages in their blood flow. 10000 men were asked the question that does your wife express her affection for you? Those that replied yes were tested to show decreased angina in their bodies.
The wisdom behind connecting with people more frequently and on a deeper level can be a source of much relief in a world where people are more distant than ever.
