Worrying is a stress trigger. When stress is triggered, the hypothalamus kicks into action setting off a domino effect of all sorts of neurochemicals which turn on specific bodily processes. If the worrying continues, the stress trigger remains in the on position and a gene on the 10th chromosome is activated, converting cholesterol to cortisol. A negative side effect of cortisol is a reduction in the production of white blood cells and, thus, a suppression in the immune system opening the door to all sorts of diseases like cancer.
But worry is not necessarily a bad thing. There are two two types of worrying:
- Short-Term Worrying – Worrying that leads to problem solving. Example: My back hurts I better go to the doctor to see what’s wrong.
- Long-Term Worrying – Worrying that morphs into thoughts of morbidity or failure. Example: My back hurts, I may have kidney disease, I may lose my kidneys, I may die. What will happen to my family, how will they survive etc.
Those with a positive mindset fall into the first category of short-term worriers. Those with a negative mindset fall into the second category of long-term worriers. Our belief system drives our thinking. If you have positive, optimistic, upbeat beliefs, you will have a positive mindset. If you have negative, pessimistic, downbeat beliefs, you will have a negative mindset.
If you want to protect your health, you need to change the Poverty Habit of long-term worrying. You do this by identifying those negative, limiting beliefs that are causing you to be a long-term worrier, and then reprogram your beliefs through daily self-talk. The daily self-talk needs to include affirmations that are positive and tied to opposite, more optimistic beliefs about who you are as a person.
About Thomas C. Corley
Speak Your Mind