Issue 10 March 2011
hardening. Incredibly, their arteries mirrored their attitudes. Medical researchers refer to this as the Hard Marriage – Hard Heart study.
Compassion is healthy because it is correlated to the fitness of the vagus nerve and thins the blood. Research at the University of California at Berkeley has shown this connection, and here is why it is important. Blood thickening can be a symptom of inflammation, a phenomenon that occurs when the arteries are repairing the damage that we do to ourselves through chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices. Inflammation is controlled throughout the body by the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body. In what is now known as the ‘inflammatory reflex’, the vagus nerve is the mechanism for slowing down the process of inflammation. Although inflammation is vital for health because it is part of the immune response, sometimes, and often as a side-effect of stress and poor lifestyle, it can get out of hand and so cause collateral damage throughout the body, such as by thickening the blood. Compassion can initiate the inflammatory reflex, reducing inflammation in blood vessels, and thus thinning the blood and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Although the traits of being strong and unemotional can be beneficial in some circumstances, the evidence shows that these predominately male behaviours can be detrimental to our health.
As HH the Dalai Lama said, ‘Compassion is not religious business, it is human business. It is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability. It is essential for human survival.’
As I gradually learned these lessons, I had to remind myself that I didn’t need to masquerade as a typical macho male, which I did throughout many of my seven years at university and four years as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. Eventually, I was able to let my guard down and show my softer side. As I did, my relationships grew stronger, richer, and more fulfilling, which is a really pleasant side-effect. And, of course, I am much healthier physically.
I see expressing emotions and showing my softer side as a sign of courage and strength. I no longer am embarrassed when I cry at a good movie–heck, I now even cry watching the show
www.quantumhealthmagazine.com
‘Neighbours’ on the TV! I feel comfortable knowing that I don’t need to fit the classic male mould and that perhaps I am contributing to the growing trend of males who do express their emotions.
I am convinced that expressing our emotions and showing compassion is part of the formula for forging strong bonds and getting on in personal and professional life. I was surprised to learn, a few years ago, that when I let my guard down and showed my vulnerability that people actually respected me more. I also achieved more because people saw me as more honest, genuine, and trustworthy and so were more likely to want to work with me. I am told that women even find it more attractive in a male–at least my partner, Elizabeth, tells me this–but I’m pretty sure it’s a widespread phenomenon. Wishful thinking perhaps? Just ask the women in your life!
Expressing emotions and allowing yourself to be vulnerable invites the other in. It allows you to sense each other’s emotions and to feel who the other person really is. And by doing so, the seed of love is given water and can grow into a beautiful flower.
Quantum Health 25
Quantum
HEALTH
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72