From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM/MINDBODY MEDICINE
If you think we have a body that houses a mind (amongst other things) and that the two are separate, think again! For many years now scientific research has shown conclusively, in many different ways, that the mind and the body are in fact the 'same'. We have a bodymind - we can think with all our organs! It's just we may not be able to understand the language of our stomach or our heart. They often 'talk' to us and because we are not tuned into their 'dialect' or signs, we miss their important messages.
There are even scientifically recognized fields of study in this arena , called mindbody medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. Said as psycho neuro immunology. (Big word meaning the study of the interrelationship of the mindbody , the chemicals our mindbody releases and our moods/immune systems.
Did you know that the immune system of the bodymind is it's army against disease? Aids doesn't kill people. Aids kills the immune system , which then allows any old germ to whip into our bodies and destroy us. While we have a healthy and optimum functioning immune system, we are in the best state to fight colds, flus or any other disease. Boosting our immune systems is a much underrated pastime!
Traditionally , we focus on various health aspects for various specific reasons. Like, diet now or be fat forever and have a heart attack. Or stop smoking now or your lungs will fall out! Or exercise just to 'get fit'. And those strategies are really important steps to take. But when did you last consciously do something to boost your immune system? When did you specifically rush out and do a course on ways to boost your immune system?
You haven't of course, because most people hadn't even heard of the immune system until Aids became a threat. And although there is more awareness of it generally, not much is done to help people understand why it's important to have a strong immune system and what to do to have one.
Did you know that at any one time we have as many as 300 potential cancer cells running around our bodies? Guess what keeps them at bay? Correct - the good old immune system. Any time we become run down , stressed out, tired or just burnt out we compromise our immune systems and our battle lines against the invaders are significantly depleted.
So what attacks or weakens our immune systems? Stress is the number one enemy. The chemicals we release when we are stressed attack most of our body and in particular, the immune system. Short bursts of stress are fine - like sprinters, we can cope with short intense bursts that are infrequent. Note the word infrequent! Daily crises that whip your stress levels up to frenzy status for an hour or so, will harm you as much, if not more than the very common prolonged, low grade , on going sources of stress such as financial problems; family issues; unhappiness at work etc.
Chemotherapy is another major immune system destroyer. That's why people on chemotherapy have to be so careful to avoid others with colds or illnesses. They are far more likely to catch whatever it is than someone with a robust immune system.
Exhaustion , burn out, worry, lack of sleep, fear also give the poor old immune system a nudge. Hey, face it folks, just about everything we do that doesn't make us feel great will probably affect our immune systems badly!
Well then, what can we do to boost these little critters that can look after us so effectively? Easy! And what's more these strategies are easy, often cheap, take little time and leave you feeling good. Too often people in our society expect solutions to problems to be expensive, complicated, and difficult. When it comes to our own wellness, that's often not the case.
For example, touch boosts the immune system. Go round hugging each other at home and you'll be boosting your own and others immune systems! Sit close while you watch the TV. Hold hands more often. Walk arm in arm. Have a weekly massage - any sort. If you can't afford once a week then once a fortnight minimum. If that's too expensive, go with your partner or a friend and learn how to do it to each other! Then do that once a week. This is not pampering or a luxury to be treated with once a year on your birthday. This is essential , critical, vital for optimum wellness. It helps you fight off disease. Children know this. How long does a toddler let you be in the house before they touch you? Minutes if you are lucky!
Social support is a fantastic boost for our immune systems. Having friends and family around you. Talking to your friends about problems and issues troubling you. Women are great at this. Men you need to learn to be! It's really going to help you in many ways. Make sure you keep contact with your friends after you form a relationship with a significant other - we often give up our friends in favor of the 'loved one'. Big mistake. We need to blend the two and keep a balance. Have girls nights and boys nights - they're not such a bad idea as long as neither degenerates into a drunken orgy - I'm not sure about the negative impact of orgies on the immune system but I know that the 'drunken' is bad!
Men and women rarely find a friend or mate of the opposite sex with whom they can openly discuss everything in a non emotional or potentially threatening environment. So in my opinion, cultivating same sex friendships that allow , indeed encourage, you to talk about feelings, worries and concerns are great for the immune system.
And now, for another simple, remarkably effective immune system booster...laughter. Yes, common old garden variety mirth, chuckling and particularly belly aching laughter! Not only do you feel great after a gut busting laugh that brings tears to your eyes - you also are healthier.
Watching a comedy video has been shown to boost the immune system. But watching a 'boysy' type movie - one that has large numbers of guns, loads of blood and violence, speed and suspense - lowers the strength of your immune system - for up to five hours after the movie! So unless you think that sort of movie is a comedy then either a) don't watch them or b) don't go anywhere near anyone who is sick for five hours afterwards! And the next time you think you might be heading for the flu, rent out five comedies and laugh yourself to wellness!
Anything you can do that reduces stress boosts your immune system. Exercise, meditation, having a bath, walking in the bush, sitting quietly, deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, looking at water; sailing; playing golf; reading - whatever you can do that helps you relax will boost your immune system.
Help someone. Studies have shown that when we help another we actually boost our immune systems. So do the washing up; remember to pick up the dry cleaning; mow the lawn for an older next door neighbor; do something you have not been asked to do that will help someone at work or at home; ask people what you can do to help them and then do it! You're helping two people - yourself and the other!
See - I said the ways to build your immune system could be quick, cheap, effective! And these are only some of the many ways you can do it. Make a comittment to yourself to do something everyday that you know will boost your disease fighting system. You'll be amazed at how you are suddenly the only one who 'never catches colds'!
