Positivity and Physical Health

According to the Association for Physiological Science, individuals who are positive and have more “upbeat” emotions have better physical health. This may stem from a positive persons’ ability to make more social connections, which inadvertently contributes to greater physical health. Nevertheless, it should come as no surprise that mood and emotions play a huge role in a person’s overall wellbeing. Moreover, leading a happier life could help reduce chronic pain symptoms.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, the team strives to treat each patient with positivity and the utmost respect in the hopes of increasing positivity and physical health. With that, the pain management physicians are also sharing what it takes to be positive and how that can impact chronic pain.

According to the study led by Barbara Fredrickson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Bethany Kok of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, in addition to positivity leading to better physical health, the two researchers also found it is possible for individuals to purposefully self-generate positive emotions to make them healthier.

Fredrickson stated, “people tend to liken their emotions to the weather, viewing them as uncontrollable.. This research shows not only that our emotions are controllable, but also that we can take the reins of our daily emotions and steer ourselves toward better physical health.”

Because regulating emotions comes easier than most people believe, it’s important people harness their positive energy and let it propel them toward better health. Chronic pain patients should consider implementing the same 6-week loving-kindness meditation (LKM) course study participants attended into their own lives. It’s easy: the course encouraged attendees to mediate at home and cultivate “positive feelings of love compassion, and goodwill toward themselves and others.” Participants could meditate as often as they wanted for 61 consecutive days. Most reported positive emotions and health.

SWSP patients should consider doing something similar at home and concentrate on remaining positive even through some of the daily struggles that come with chronic pain. Consider thinking positively today, tomorrow, for the next few weeks and let us know what happened!

If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With four locations in Utah and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.

©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2015

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