From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
What you watch affects your health.
This is yet another tip on how to boost your immune system. And it’s easy. When you watch funny movies or videos or one where someone is helping someone else (like Mother Theresa) your immune system is boosted. Now, how simple is that?
When you watch a video/movie of violence, brutality, viscousness, cruelty and general nastiness, like the news, you are actually suppressing the strength of your immune system.
Now, how do those little ‘things’ like leucocytes and macrophages (big words for things that eat germs and viruses in your immune system) know about what you are watching. We’re not sure. But we think it’s because inside our heads we are reacting to these images we see and creating similar images in our heads. These send messages to our brain and do something that suppresses our immune systems and therefore resistance to disease.
If you feel a cold coming on, don’t rush to the chemist. Rush to the nearest video store and rent out your favorite comedies and roll around the floor laughing. Or buy them so they are on hand at any time you think your immune system needs a ‘shot in the arm’. Or collect videos of people helping others. Unless you feel Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Predator 300 or Jack the Ripper are comedies, don’t even think about them! If you insist on viewing them, then avoid going near anyone who is ill for five hours afterwards, because that’s how long your immune system is depressed. (A medical term meaning unhappy) (No, seriously, it’s a medical term meaning suppressed)
Which brings me to another point, if you actually go out and help someone else you boost your immune system. So , don’t say the Herald Sun isn’t making your life ‘weller’ and easier! We’re helping you and bouncing around with boosted immune systems.
I know you are probably sick to death of me writing about the immune system, but it’s probably the most important system in your body. And the one the general public are most unaware of. And the system most medical people know the least about.
So, back to how you can help people. What about mowing the next door neighbors lawn? Or lending a hand to someone who is moving house. (this should only be done if your immune system really needs a lift - this is extreme help). Or make the bed for the person who normally makes it. Or make dinner one night when you are usually the ‘eater’. Or carry someone’s heavy bag. Make a phone call and listen to someone who needs an ear. Do an errand. Give someone a massage. Clean their car when they don’t have time but you know they wanted to do it. There are zillions of things you can do. As long as you perceive it as helping another person or group of people.
How important is it that we know exactly how what we watch or how helping others gets into our immune systems? Well, I suppose it’s pretty important to know so we can somehow copy the process in the future. But until we do know exactly, lets be smart and make sure we regularly gather the family , friends, community about us and all sit down , touch each other and watch funny videos; and as an added extra, invite around a friend who needs cheering up so you help them! This is a triple whammy for our immune systems - and heaven forbid! it could not only be good for us but taste good and be fun!
