Everyone craves some peace of mind, especially during challenging or stressful situations. Thankfully, science and the wonders of research have indulged us once again, particularly in guiding us on how to handle such situations and have that well-deserved peace of mind.
The book "Mind Over Medicine" written by Dr. Lissa Rankin describes the physiological aspect of healing, highlighting the genius behind our well-equipped bodies and systems' mechanisms. According to Dr. Rankin, these mechanisms are naturally self-healing and dependable. However, the state of one's nervous system largely determines the performance and balance of such mechanisms.
One situation in which the body flips off is during "stress response" mode, or the fight-or-fligth sympathetic mode. This is a term coined by Walter Cannon of Harvard University which results to an imbalance in the body. If the body is on stress response mode, it is not concerned about preventing and fighting off infection, warding off heart disease, or battling cancer, which it naturally does.
In contrast to the stress response, "relaxation response" promotes balance in the body. Coined by Herbert Benson of Harvard, the relaxation response is a state in which the parasympathetic nervous system is working at its prime, taking the lead. This is when the body's self-healing mechanisms are functioning effectively. The body has the capacity to heal itself.
With such research-based information in mind, Dr. Rankin concludes that one of the ways to cultivate a peace of mind is to "help your nervous system live in a state of peace". This optimizes health, helps one feel vital, and extends life expectancy.
Dr. Rankin adds that certain activities can help in the daily journey of achieving such peace- meditation, being in nature, playing with animals, creative endeavors, being with peaceful people, engaging in ritual, creating a peace playlist, sexual activity, and tapping into the Divine.
