Research is accumulating that emotional health is important to physical health. Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of how the immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system work together to keep the body healthy. There is mounting evidence that inflammation in the body and a dysfunctional immune system is often associated with mental illness (Alessi and Bennett, 2020). Stress is a known cause of chronic inflammation. Alessi and Bennett (2020) stated in their research that chronic inflammation is a “biological scar” stemming from life stresses that may have happened in childhood or early adulthood. These life stresses impair the physiological stress response leading to mental and physical health problems (Alessi and Bennet, 2020). Evidence is mounting that people struggling with mental and physical health conditions can benefit from therapeutic approaches that reduce inflammation.

Alleviating stress and eating a low inflammatory diet is a good place to start in the fight against chronic inflammation. Getting counselling to work through emotional trauma is also key to being well mentally, physically, and spiritually. Focused-faith based mediation is a powerful tool the calm the mind, body, and spirit. Studies on meditation have proven that mediation improves the immune function and strengthens neural pathways. The bible, of course, has given us wisdom on this all along. Let’s look at Proverbs 4:21-22

Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being.

The word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). God is love and His love has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, that has been given to believers (Romans 5:5). Doctors and counsellors can be helpful on the road to healing but there is only One who can heal the broken heart and give us radiant health. The week ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the life giving words that you need to fill your thoughts, leading you to radiant health.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Alessi, M. G., & Bennett, J. M. (2020). Mental health is the health of the whole body: How psychoneuroimmunology & health psychology can inform & improve treatment. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 26(5), 1539–1547. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13386

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