As you think so will you be

The role of our brain in controlling bodily functions is, I think greatly underrated. I recently saw an Open University psychology program on regional television where a schizophrenic person was in one personality afflicted with diabeties but had to be administered with medication by the other personality because the medicine made the diabetic one nauseous. It was also stated that in other cases, as different personalities came to the fore, pulse rates and blood pressure changed.

I have come to the realisation that the state of my own health is under my own concious control, and good it is too only because I like to keep it that way. Some people habitually talk themselves into feeling sick in order to get attention or avoid having to do something they don't want to. In addition to getting what they want (sometimes) they feel terrible and that makes them miserable and unproductive and sets their system up to REALLY get sick. You see the immune system is no different to other body parts. It is influenced by the concious and subconcious brain too. Yes, I get sick as well but I do my best to keep doing all the things I would have done if I was well. Things like trying to eat when I feel nauseous, washing my hair when I have the flu, trying hard to be as physically and mentally alert as I can , being bright and happy. As a result I get sick infrequently for example in 35 years at work I've only had 22 days sick and that included 10 days recovering from an operation. I also refuse to acknowledge my age, preferring to act and feel much younger. Consequently I don't suffer from stiff joints, crook knees, back pain etc because I don't see why I have to just because I'm 53.

Imagine yourself as you would like others to percieve you and they will start to see you that way. You might want to be more outgoing, likeable, friendly......go for it. Think of yourself as you were in your youth, slimmer, alert, energetic, hair not grey and you will retard the effect of all those years. Be aware though that time will not go backwards, and don't expect to pig out and not put on weight. Its a matter of developing a mental image of your physical characteristics and taking action when the two drift apart. It may mean missing a meal or reducing the stress level. The younger you start the more effective this philosophy will be.

Open your mind.

Be yourself, don't be concerned about what others might think of you, keep an open mind, treat everyone as equal, accept them for who they are not who you would like them to be, don't hurt anyone. This is a great way to build strong relationships. It seems to me that so many go the other way as they get older, becoming bigoted and prejudiced. Resist the temptation, it will shut out many opportunities. The world is constantly changing, change with it. As you grow older use your acquired knowledge and experience in a positive way. These are exciting times, it would be a pity to miss out on them.