Comments on: Why Science Says Happy Works – Dr Egg’s Blog

By: Smile and the world smiles with you | Public Health & Wellbeing

Smile and the world smiles with you | Public Health & Wellbeing — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:00:04 +0000

[...] It links too much that has been written about work-life balance and prompted me to write the article on psychoneuroimmunology for the Give a Brick site. It is also one of the issues that heavily influenced the decision to [...]

By: Can you have too much of a good thing?

Can you have too much of a good thing? — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:05:12 +0000

[...] you posts like ‘5 Easy Ways to Live in the Moment‘, Dr Egg’s awesome ‘Psychoneuroimmunology‘ and who could forget Ben Lumley’s advice in ‘When you want to take over the [...]

By: Dr Egg

Dr Egg — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:57:09 +0000

Hi Roy,

You’re absolutely right, belief that some process is good for you will indeed have a positive effect and will have a role in alternative therapies. This will be enhanced if the therapy is not on the NHS and you have to pay for it yourself. This reinforces the message in your head. That said, there is also often a clear scientific benefit for some of the alternative therapies and I for one, will advocate anything that is having a benefit for a patient. I have in the past given a lecture on, “The Science of Old-Wives Tales.”

Interesting too what you say about your daughter. That absolute faith may well have been at work here. I have been quoted by the BBC in the past (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/3199769.stm) over my concerns in relation to the fear we can induce in people going into hospital and the worries they now have about healthcare associated infections. If you are worried about infection or have other anxieties, then this can have a negative effect on the immune system and put the individual at increased risk of infection. As mentioned in the main article, very difficult to demonstrate this on an individual scale but on a population basis with major life events, the effects become meassurable.

I am as equally amazed at the way the brain works, as you say.
.-= Dr Egg´s last blog ..Why Science Says Happy Works – Dr Egg’s Blog =-.

By: Roy

Roy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:14:19 +0000

Very interesting post, maybe why those ‘alternative therapies’ work. Nothing wrong with an aromatherapy session that you believe helps you fight off an illness/depression whatever. Another insight (of sorts) I had while reading. Not so long ago I spent a couple of time with my Daughter in an adolescent unit in a London hospital, she has learning difficulties. She was very ill, yet never lost her trust in people who always look after her. Other teenagers there had major problems adjusting to being ill, and coping. She had quite major surgery and has made a superb recovery. Did her learning difficulty and lack of comprehension of how serious things were actually help her recover? The mind (brain) is an amazing thing.

By: Eleanor

Eleanor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:10:12 +0000

I really enjoyed this too. Glad we decided to publish it on a Sunday with Dr Egg around to add some follow-up. And on his birthday too

It reminds me of a book I never got to the end of called ‘Why Zebras don’t get ulcers’ Worth a read if you’re into how your emotional state affects your health.

By: Ryan Hanzel

Ryan Hanzel — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:22:25 +0000

This was very educational, I am not familiar with many of the medical/scientific terms and this is the first time hearing about Psychoneuroimmunology. I don’t really know what to add except that I will keep this post in mind since my family has a history of cancer and I am a nicotine user. Just felt like I should comment since I did find this post moving and well presented. I will be reading up on that wiki link you commented on my post, waiting for a little more rest tho. Great work tho.
.-= Ryan Hanzel´s last blog ..Being a loving person =-.

By: Dr Egg

Dr Egg — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:00:48 +0000

Hi Karen,

Check out the quick guide in Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoneuroimmunology

You’re absolutely right about not needing to be in a happy place all the time. Stressors of the right amount can ensure our performance is at it’s peak. It is indeed, all about balance.
.-= Dr Egg´s last blog ..Why Science Says Happy Works – Dr Egg’s Blog =-.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:06:24 +0000

Very interesting article, thanks for sharing.

I think it’s important to also realize that we are not happy all of the time (nor should we be). Your level of happiness increases and decreases over time and in response to different life situations. However, I have recently learned that everyone has a ‘happy set point’ so if you a person who has a high set point, no matter what happens in your life, you will go back to that level of happiness. I wonder if we can change our ‘happy set points’ or if it’s like genetics and we are born with it? Hmmm, interesting.

I had no idea of the ‘psyconeuroimmunology’ term so I have learned something new today

Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Why It’s Never Too Late For Your Dreams To Come True =-.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:26:42 +0000

Wow I never heard that saying. I really like it.
.-= Ben´s last blog ..Doing something because you think you should, isn’t the way to go =-.

By: Dr Egg

Dr Egg — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:23:57 +0000

Thanks Ben. Reminds me of a scene from the dramatisation of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple (with the real owner of the part – Joan Hickson), who marvels at the way an actress in a scene physically blanches as she is told bad news. My youngest daughter has learned to do the same thing in her acting parts. We watched her in one of her college test pieces and as she got angry, her face went physically white as she “owned” the part she was playing. Actors do it as you say by carefully remembering their emotions in given situations and then recall them when they need them in a dramtic part they are playing.

Being in an emotionally positive place can be switched to very quickly and is physically beneficial, as you say.

Ever heard the saying, “Hypochondriacs die young?” A scientific reality. Happiness is life enhancing and prolonging.
.-= Dr Egg´s last blog ..Why Science Says Happy Works – Dr Egg’s Blog =-.