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Peace to Your Cells
Q: Have there been any scientific studies done that prove negative and hostile environments can affect how quickly our bodies are able to heal?
A: A recent report from Ohio State University evaluated whether or not emotional stress affected healing. Forty-two married couples participated in the research project in which they received small blisters on their skin (ouch!) and then engaged in either a loving, supportive conversation or an angry, hostile disagreement. The researchers measured the concentration of immunological chemicals in the blood and tracked how long it took for the wounds to heal. The results showed that one hostile interaction slowed healing by almost twenty-four hours.
In other studies, medical scientists have demonstrated that in addition to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, hostility is an independent risk factor for heart attacks. Hostility means that you carry the belief that you are always carrying more than your fair share, that other people cannot be trusted to meet your needs, and that having an anger outburst is an acceptable way to express your frustration. If you score in the highest ranges of hostility, your risk of a heart attack is as great as if you smoke a pack of cigarettes per day. Some studies suggest that psychological stress accounts for 30% of the risk for a heart attack.
We now have scientific evidence that bringing peace into your life is not only good for your relationships, but also good for your body. If we needed another good reason to bring peace to the world, we now have it.
With love,
David