Popular books have familiarized us with psychosomatic illness. 1 Hate, grief, guilt, discontent, fear and other destructive thought patterns affect the heart, blood, stomach, digestion, liver, nerves and hormones, making us vulnerable to a host of illnesses. Scientific studies have explored the relationship of stress to heart attacks, stomach ulcers, asthma, cancer and other diseases. A study conducted at Duke University showed that work satisfaction and personal happiness were far more significant to the length of life than were all other factors, including physical functioning and tobacco use. The fragmentation of man into two supposedly separage substancs has led many to despise the body and value the soul Of course, we need to remember that cause and effect work both ways.
Physical habits have a profound effect on the mind too.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, our nutrition, our exposure to sunlight, our posture, exercise, rest, moderation and hygiene - all have a vital bearing on mental health. And this in turn reacts upon the body. Trying to determine whether some ailments originate in physical or in mental habits is often pointless. Human life is one. It was revived in the seventeenth century by the philosopher, Rene' Descartes.