Daydream, Meditate, or Pray

[Jokerman]

Imagery is a relaxation technique similar to daydreaming. As you allow images to drift through your mind, you heighten your immune response to disease. You are calming down that part of your brain that otherwise would produce stress hormones.

Studies have demonstrated that both prayer and nonreligious meditation elicit relaxing effects. In fact, studies at Duke University have found that religious people live longer. Those who attended religious services regularly had lower levels of interleukin-6--a hormone that rises with stress, leading to greater infections and disease.

No doubt it's the element of getting your mind off of yourself and your problems and being with others, serving others, relating to others--that may be the key in helping your immune system.

 

[Bigg Limn]

That explains how the Buddha was able to cure his ailness when he ate "poisoned" food.

 

[Illuminattile]

Now I have an excuse to lounge around doing nothing.

 

[Amara]

Hmm interesting. I used to daydream a lot in high school and in the entire 5 years, the days I had off sick would probably have only totalled a week or two - I was always healthy. Stress levels have been increasing though since... I should make more of an effort to relax.

 

[Alomonger Pete]

A lot of minor illnesses are brought on psychologically. I find keeping yourself busy and thinking positively has helped me more than anything. Two years ago when I was very depressed I got ill more regularly than ever before. Last year I was happy again and had only one day off school. My dad hasn't had a day off in over ten years.

 

[Bigg Limn]

He hasnt had a day off in 10 years? Or he hasnt called in in 10 years? Cuz Id shoot myself if I worked 10years straight.

 

[Jurhum]

Is it merely just a person's thought that keeps them healthy or does divine factors play into this. Jokerman, you mentioned religion as being one of the major reasons for self-satisfaction. However, I want to know. Is it because people think positively that they tend to be spiritually healthier or does a more divine intervention play a part in this?

 

[Jokerman]

Jokerman, you mentioned religion as being one of the major reasons for self-satisfaction. However, I want to know. Is it because people think positively that they tend to be spiritually healthier or does a more divine intervention play a part in this?

That's why I said:

No doubt it's the element of getting your mind off of yourself and your problems and being with others, serving others, relating to others...

This is why non-religious meditation has the same effect. Plus, it doesn't matter what religion or denomination the religious person belongs to, we see the same beneficial effects. They could be praying and attending services to the devil, as long as they are getting comfort from it, like meditation, it will have a beneficial effect.

So prayer, meditation, imaging techniques have a relaxing effect. But what really helps your immune system is having a good support network of people. It's been shown in experiments that the more gregarious you are, the less chance you have of getting a cold. The stress of isolation has a negative impact on the immune system, while positive relationships prevent the immune-dampening effects of stress hormones such as cortisol. Obviously, if you're a member of a church, you will more likely have a good support system of people in your life.

 

[Jurhum]

I see.

 

[Alomonger Pete]

He hasnt had a day off in 10 years? Or he hasnt called in in 10 years? Cuz Id shoot myself if I worked 10years straight.

He has gone to work every day for 10 years.

 

[Bigg Limn]

...and what does he do?

 

[pEzZeR]

Imagery is a relaxation technique similar to daydreaming. As you allow images to drift through your mind, you heighten your immune response to disease. You are calming down that part of your brain that otherwise would produce stress hormones.

Studies have demonstrated that both prayer and nonreligious meditation elicit relaxing effects. In fact, studies at Duke University have found that religious people live longer. Those who attended religious services regularly had lower levels of interleukin-6--a hormone that rises with stress, leading to greater infections and disease.

No doubt it's the element of getting your mind off of yourself and your problems and being with others, serving others, relating to others--that may be the key in helping your immune system

True, I think its all about being in control of your own mind, which means having a strong mind and trying to stay positive. Its also about having faith (not necessarily religious).

pEzZeR

 

[pEzZeR]

Imagery is a relaxation technique similar to daydreaming. As you allow images to drift through your mind, you heighten your immune response to disease. You are calming down that part of your brain that otherwise would produce stress hormones.

Studies have demonstrated that both prayer and nonreligious meditation elicit relaxing effects. In fact, studies at Duke University have found that religious people live longer. Those who attended religious services regularly had lower levels of interleukin-6--a hormone that rises with stress, leading to greater infections and disease.

No doubt it's the element of getting your mind off of yourself and your problems and being with others, serving others, relating to others--that may be the key in helping your immune system

True, I think its all about being in control of your own mind, which means having a strong mind and trying to stay positive. Its also about having faith (not necessarily religious).

pEzZeR

 

[CoolWaterz]

isnt it wierd that humans have to "be in control" of their own mind...the mind is a powerful thing man..maybe too powerful for humans..what do they say "the only difference between a genius and a madman is success"

 

[CoolWaterz]

isnt it wierd that humans have to "be in control" of their own mind...the mind is a powerful thing man..maybe too powerful for humans..what do they say "the only difference between a genius and a madman is success"

 

[CoolWaterz]

isnt it wierd that humans have to "be in control" of their own mind...the mind is a powerful thing man..maybe too powerful for humans..what do they say "the only difference between a genius and a madman is success"

 

[Khaled]

isnt it wierd that humans have to "be in control" of their own mind...the mind is a powerful thing man..maybe too powerful for humans..what do they say "the only difference between a genius and a madman is success"

true that the mind is powerfull.
actually, i practice a few meditation techniques, and the most difficult part is to preven your mind from thinking. To try to "stop" your mind. It's a very difficult thing to do. Any one who tries to sit for 15 minutes without thinking of anything will pobably agree with me.

I'm also not really sure, but i know that the mind activity actually uses a lot of the one's energy, especially that it's constantly working, even when you're asleep. So stopping this activity for a short period of time (even a matter of minutes) can be ery healthy and relaxing.