The connection between the thoughts in our mind and the overall physical health of the body has been researched for over 40 years by Dr. Herbert Benson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

By controlling our thoughts and emotions, we can harness our natural energy to promote positive change in our body. Numerous studies have shown this to be effective in treating conditions such as:

• Coronary heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Infertility
• Intestinal problems
• Insomnia
• Menopausal symptoms
• Mental health issues
• Obesity
• Psoriasis

The New York Times reported that mind/body medicine has been found to increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant.

Being unable to conceive can increase the stress in a woman to the same levels experienced by those diagnosed with cancer or heart disease. Therefore, learning how to reduce the physical symptoms of stress is beneficial to both the body and the mind.

It’s important to point out that research does not show negative emotions actually cause any specific disease. However, emotions such as anger, guilt, anxiety and sadness can have unhealthy implications. Learning positive ways to deal with negative emotions has been proven to have a powerful impact on a person’s health.

Mind/body techniques can reduce the level of stress hormones in the body. Not only does this improve a person’s physical health but it also enhances self-esteem and self-worth. In addition, once you learn how to develop the necessary skills to cope with stressful events, you can reduce the negative self-talk that often comes with fertility issues.

Interested in learning more about how your mind can help your body heal? This video features Dr. Benson discussing how you can enhance your health through mind/body healing.