Hungarian Heritage Review, 1986 (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1986-07-01 / 7. szám
JULY 1986 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 27 Q ( «3ml )-by-DR. ALEXANDER SZEMERE hT / PART TWO: HOW TO ACHIEVE “POSITIVE WELLNESS” Recent scientific studies are proving the close interaction of mind and body. One example: Menninger Clinic experiments, using biofeedback techniques, show that most people can consciously direct their bodies to increase the flow of blood to their hands and thus raise their temperatures. (Interestingly, this relieves headaches and stress for some.) Think and practice positive wellness and “positive imagery". Pay attention to how your body feels, and consciously tell yourself how you want it to feel. Imagine consistently the feeling you would like and you are likely to gain it. Treat your stress positively. At least 50 percent of our deaths are due to “unhealthy behavior or lifestyle” (US Surgeon- General, 1979). In our competitive culture, stress and tension are inevitable. But, as Dr. Hans Selye, the stress pioneer, explained: “It's not the amount of stress you have as much as the way you handle it.” Instead of deadening your senses with drugs, learn to handle stress with some of these proven positive methods: Think positively about yourself amd the future. Know that you have the ability, the strength, the confidence and the faith to handle almost any problem. As Clinical psychologist Dr. Fred McKinney advised: “If you aren’t the person you’d like to be, keep acting like the person and pretty soon you’ll be the person you’d like to be.” Make sure your life goals are high but realistic. Then as Dr. Selye said: “Fight for your highest attainable aim. But do not put up resistance in vain.” Build strong, loving personal relationships with family and friends — and keep them strong. Learn to laugh-heartily. “Internal jogging” is invaluable medicine for both mental and physical health. Turn it off. Each day, take some time for physical and mental recreation. And each day, set aside a time for relaxation, using such methods as positive mental imagery, meditation and progressive relaxation. Keep your body structure sound. Science now has backed up Mother’s advice to “stand tall, walk tall, sit tall.” Not only does your posture have a direct bearing on your looks and your comfort, but research has found that it also affects your resistance to disease and disability. Your most healthful posture maintains the natural contours of your spine. Stand or sit straight, but relaxed, with head balanced, shoulders and hips even, chest out, stomach in, no swayback. Avoid off-balance torso twisting or lifting with locked knees. Try to sit less. If you have a desk job, take standing and walking breaks at least once every hour during the day. To assure health our bodies must be free from structural distortions. Any activity that throws the body frame out of normal balance can cause spinal misalignment and consequent impairment of the nerve messages coming through the spinal column to most of the vital tissues and organs. This can contribute to many illnesses. Doctors of chiropractic are highly educated and experienced in the neuromusculo-skeletal systems of the body. As professional athletes and dancers will testify, chiropractic doctors are experts at correcting spinal and other structural defects without drugs or surgery. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you maintain your body’s balance and mechanical integrity, thus helping to prevent disease or aid in natural healing. Balance your exercise and food. A third of American adults that surveys report are now exercising regularly are seeing resultslower, firmer weights, lower blood pressures, dramatically lower cardiovascular disease rates and generally just “feeling better.” —continued next issue
