In the Western World, one of the least-explored concepts is the connection between the mind and the body. Under Eastern philosophies such and Buddhism and Hinduism, in contrast, there is an immense focus on the connection between how our mental health and affects our physical health. In the past few years, I (J) have read several books by Buddhist and Hindu philsophers. One of the most important concepts that these books taught me is that the inability to cope with mental stress sends strong, negative shock waves through the wiring of our bodies, commonly known as the “nervous system.” Anger and stress flowing through this wiring is like sending powerful voltage through a tiny wire - it just can’t handle it. Eventually, the system burns out. Accordingly, it behooves all of us to do whatever is necessary to keep stress levels to a minimum.
As the American population ages, more and more Americans are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease - probably the worst disease a human can have. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer’s is connected to vascular stress caused by high blood pressure. Vascular stress and high blood pressure are caused - in part - by mental stress.
“African-Americans may have a higher risk for diabetes,* a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. “High blood pressure is more common among African-Americans than White Americans. A person with high blood pressure or high cholesterol may be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. African-Americans have a higher rate of vascular dementia. The number of African-Americans entering the age of Alzheimer risk (age 65 or older) is expected to more than double to 6.9 million by 2030.”
Filed under: health
