I recently read an article, 5
Hawaiian Words to Redefine Health, Happiness and Power that describes aspects
of the beautiful Hawaiian culture in which people continually strive to respect the land and its people. Health and well-being are intrinsically woven
into the fabric of the Hawaiian life. As
you will read in this article, the word Aloha
is much more than a greeting--it is a way of life. It is no wonder that Hawaii is touted as the
happiest state in America Hawaii
Happiest State in America 2013.
Our attitudes and mind-sets play a tremendous role in the
health of our bodies. We can be pristine
about what we eat and how we exercise, but if our minds are consumed with
worry, fear and doubt, all our good health efforts could be for naught. The mind-body connection is becoming more
recognized in mainstream health care
these days.
Research from the Harvard School of Public Health (first
reported in 2001) links a more optimistic outlook with a lowered risk of heart
disease in older men and University of Pittsburgh researchers report that
optimistic women have less thickening of the carotid artery walls. TheWomen's
Health Initiative Study (first reported in 2009 in an American Heart
Association journal) suggests that a positive mental outlook is associated with
reduced evidence of coronary heart disease and total mortality in
postmenopausal women.
We can take a
lesson from our Hawaiian friends and start to incorporate less “high tech” and
more “high touch” in our lives, by stopping
to catch a sunset, smile at a stranger, or perform a random act of kindness.
If you find yourself having difficulty managing stress, I
can teach you mind-body stress management techniques that can help shift your
attitude in a better direction, thereby influencing better health.
Aloha and olakino maika’i!
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