While living in the village of Smrzov, in South Bohemia, I often used to wonder about a certain villager. He was in his eighties and exuded a cheerful disposition. Yet, as a bartender in the village pub, he consumed his share of alcohol (including the well-known Moravian slivovic). He also smoked. How could his alcohol intake and smoking be reconciled with his continued good health? It went against all my reasoning and understanding. I had always been taught about the pillars of health and vitality – right diet, proper exercise, and sound sleep.

Now twenty years later, I have more clues. Recently I learned how a well-known doctor in the United States made an observation that accounted for the well-being of the old Smrzov villager. Dr. Lissa Rankin was working with a series of patients who were outstanding in their health practices – they followed a near-perfect diet, exercised diligently, and ensured adequate sleep and rest. However, these patients were among her sickest patients, needing the most care!

Stress in Our Mind

A key understanding is that stress in our mind triggers the stress response system of our body (causing a flight, fight, or freeze response). Our whole body is negatively affected when the sympathetic nervous system is activated through stress. This is why chronic stress is now one of the biggest killers.

The Natural Relaxation Response

Interestingly, our bodies have another system – the parasympathetic nervous system. When we activate this system, the body’s natural healing mechanism is turned on – the body’s self-repair system. This is also known as the natural relaxation response, and takes the body out of the stress response mode.

Two Vital Questions for Each of Us

From this understanding, two vital questions arise for each of us: (1) What stress in my mind is triggering the stress response with its health-damaging aspects (especially with on-going or chronic stress)? (2) How can I trigger my body’s natural relaxation response with its health-producing benefits?

Mind States that Trigger the Damaging Stress Response

Dr. Rankin suggests that the following mind states will trigger the damaging stress response in our bodies:

• Loneliness
• Clinging to an unsatisfying job or working just for a pay check
• Pessimistic worldview
• Fearful, anxious, worried, or angry thoughts
• Toxic relationships
• Money worries
• Knowing that you have a song within you that has not yet been sung
• Being out of touch with life’s purpose; disconnected from Source
• Negative beliefs about your health
• Feelings of overwhelm
• Nobody understands the real you
• Pretending to be someone you’re not

Mind States that Activate the Body’s Self-Healing Mechanism

By contrast, Rankin offers the following mind states for activating the body’s self-healing mechanism:

• Being loved just as you are
• Helping those in need
• Expressing your creative genius
• Optimism – seeing a glass as half full
• Unconditional love of animals
• Laughing out loud
• Speaking your truth
• Knowing that you belong
• Communing with nature
• Nourishing the body with real food
• Tapping into Source; being in alignment with Source
• Being unapologetically YOU – not wearing a mask
• Living one’s life purpose

My dilemma over the old, cheerful Smrzov villager has been solved, or at least I have another explanation. It is possible that he had a mind filled with peace and contentment, and was not suffering from hidden, chronic stress. His body’s natural healing system was operating to counteract the alcohol and smoking abuse. (Of course, I realize that there are other factors involved in the health equation.) He was certainly always kind, congenial, and friendly towards my wife and me, ready to help whenever needed. We would visit him in his modest village home and be touched by his deep-seated optimism, his good humour, and his love of nature.

In life, it is indeed mind over matter that counts most of all.

Written by Alexander Peck; edited by Eva Peck (2014)

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