by Karen Chamchuk

Created on: August 21, 2008

Emotional and physical health are closely interconnected; if one area suffers the other suffers also. Stress, anger, and unresolved childhood issues all take a toll on our physical health. Therefore, we do our bodies a huge favour when we take care of our emotional health.

What are some of the ways that negative emotions can lead to disease?

UNRESOLVED CHILDHOOD ABUSE ISSUES

People who experienced childhood physical, emotional or sexual abuse will look for ways to block out or "numb" themselves from this pain. Many have discovered that food is a reliable quick fix and will turn to it again and again for comfort and acceptance. Unfortunately, overeating leads to obesity - one of the fasted growing health concerns in America. Obesity, by itself, is now considered a disease. It is also a contributing factor in the development of heart disease, knee problems, back pain and a host of other medical problems.

STRESS

High levels of stress can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a potentially serious condition that can eventually result in a heart attack, stroke, or even death.

In addition, if you are constantly in a state of stress due to a heavy workload or a chaotic work environment, it is much more difficult for your immune system to fight off colds and others viruses. Thus, people who haven't learned to handle stress effectively will end up taking a far greater number of sick days than co-workers with who are better able to handle stress.

People who experience high levels of stress will often not take the time to eat properly. For example, they are more likely to skip a healthy breakfast and eat a Danish at the office instead. They may even have trouble finding the time to grocery shop and fast food may become a way of life. In such a situation, the body is not receiving adequate nutrients to function at an optimum level. This lack of necessary nutrients can lead to a host of health problems such as osteoporisis(caused by inadequate calcium intake), obesity,(cause by overeating high calorie foods) and a weakened immune system leading to frequent colds and flus.

INABILITY TO DEAL WITH ANGER

Some people seem to be constantly running out of patience with everyone in their lives from their child's coach on the soccer field, to the person in front of them on the freeway(who is already going 20 clicks over the speed limit). These people carry around a lot of excess anger inside for one simple reason: their expectations for the world are unrealistic. Consequently, they are always being disappointed. Some of these people eventually "snap" and inflict their anger on their spouse and children or the driver who cuts them off or drives "too slow". We refer to these people as rage-aholics or type "A" personalities. Many type A people become alcoholics and will have serious liver problems. Others will suffer heart attacks at an early age - all because they were never able to get a grip on their anger issues.

How can we improve our emotional health? We can take regular vacations, maintain a support network of friends, and take part in stress-reducing hobbies and recreation. If we make a conscious effort to use healthy outlets like these ones, we will not be as tempted to abuse food, drugs and alcohol. Visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist for a period of time may also prove to be beneficial particularly if there are deeper issues that must be dealt with.

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