PARIS (AFP) - The adage that laughter is the best medicine has been backed by an unusual investigation which says that people who seethe with anger take longer to recover from injury.
Previous studies have linked ill tempered behaviour, whether brow-beating or road rage, with higher incidence of coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke, especially among men.
But the new study, published on Wednesday in the British journal Brain, Behaviour, Immunity, is the first controlled experiment that directly measures the impact of ire on the healing process.
Researchers at the University of Ohio inflicted minor burns on the forearms of 98 volunteers who were then monitored over eight days to see how quickly the skin repaired itself.
The subjects had each taken a battery of psychological tests beforehand to assess how easily and often they felt and expressed wrath, and were then ranked on an "anger scale."
Persons who took certain pharmaceutical drugs, smoked cigarettes or drank excessive quantities of caffeine-laden coffee were excluded, along with individuals who were extremely over- or under-weight.
The results were startlingly clear: individuals who had trouble controlling expressions of anger were four times likelier to need more than four days for their wounds to heal, compared with counterparts who could master their anger.
But the researchers were also surprised to find that anger has its nuances, too.
Subjects described as showing "anger out" (regular outbursts of aggression or hostility) or "anger in" (repressed rage) healed almost as quickly as individuals who ranked low on all anger scales.
Only those who tried but failed to hold in their feelings of upset and distemper took longer to heal.
This same group also showed a higher secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which could at least partly explain the difference in healing time, the study noted.
Earlier research has shown a clear link between cortisol and anger. Hostile men who yelled at spouses during marital spats secreted more of the endocrine modulator within minutes, as did teachers experiencing high levels of stress in the classroom.
High levels of cortisol appears to decrease the production at the point of injury of two cytokines crucial to the repair process, suggests the study.
Cytokines are proteins released by immune-system cells. They act as signallers to generate a wider immune response.
"The ability to regulate the expression of one's anger has a clinically relevant impact on wound healing," concludes lead author Jean-Philippe Gouin, a psychologist at the University of Ohio.
Anger-control therapy could help patients recovering from surgery or injury heal more quickly, the paper says.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Better Communication with the ones we Love
As we approach Valentine’s Day we are reminded of the people in our lives that we love. This Valentine’s Day think about how you communicate with the people in your life that are important to you. Many times we will take for granted that these people will forgive us every time we get angry or speak in a destructive manner. In our intimate relationships our words can damage our relationships when we let destructive communication actions in the way.
When we use absolute words like “you never”, “why do you always do that?” “I don’t want to talk about it”, or, “I told you so” can create more problems in a relationship. Instead when we take responsibility for our own actions and communicate our feelings effectively we can help our partner understand what really is going on. Some more helpful words would include; “Please help me”, “I am sorry”, “Help me understand”, “How can I help?” “I Love you.” These are more helpful. Many times we argue about things that are of little importance and because we are communicating effectively.
Please keep in mind when communicating with your partner not to use intimidating, or using harsh language. You have a right to express yourself, however, your partner will have more respect for you when you try to resolve the problem in a constructive manner. Let the obstacles you face together strengthen your relationship not damage it.
In order for communication to be effective, both parties need to be good listeners and should not convince the other of their position. Each person needs to have his or her time to talk without interruption. Good communication also requires compromise, if someone has to win the argument, then somebody has to lose. Than you have lost good communication and have damaged your relationship. No single issue is as important as your overall goal of remaining non-aggressive and non-evasive in your relationship.
So this Valentines day try using more positive communication skills. Make it a goal to improve your relationship over the next year. Start by thinking about the types of communication you are using. Is it negative or positive? Are you really listening? How can you be communicating more effectively? Try bring people up not down. Your partner and loved ones cannot be replaced.
Enrolling in an Anger Management Class can also assist with improving communication skills. For more information on our classes please visit our website at www.positivesolutions.org
When we use absolute words like “you never”, “why do you always do that?” “I don’t want to talk about it”, or, “I told you so” can create more problems in a relationship. Instead when we take responsibility for our own actions and communicate our feelings effectively we can help our partner understand what really is going on. Some more helpful words would include; “Please help me”, “I am sorry”, “Help me understand”, “How can I help?” “I Love you.” These are more helpful. Many times we argue about things that are of little importance and because we are communicating effectively.
Please keep in mind when communicating with your partner not to use intimidating, or using harsh language. You have a right to express yourself, however, your partner will have more respect for you when you try to resolve the problem in a constructive manner. Let the obstacles you face together strengthen your relationship not damage it.
In order for communication to be effective, both parties need to be good listeners and should not convince the other of their position. Each person needs to have his or her time to talk without interruption. Good communication also requires compromise, if someone has to win the argument, then somebody has to lose. Than you have lost good communication and have damaged your relationship. No single issue is as important as your overall goal of remaining non-aggressive and non-evasive in your relationship.
So this Valentines day try using more positive communication skills. Make it a goal to improve your relationship over the next year. Start by thinking about the types of communication you are using. Is it negative or positive? Are you really listening? How can you be communicating more effectively? Try bring people up not down. Your partner and loved ones cannot be replaced.
Enrolling in an Anger Management Class can also assist with improving communication skills. For more information on our classes please visit our website at www.positivesolutions.org
Friday, February 08, 2008
Volunteerism and Health
As the New Year is upon us, many of us will be thinking about how to fulfill the resolutions we made to improve ourselves. Maybe this will include trying new things. A great way to get started is volunteering. Volunteering can give you new experiences that can be helpful with future employment while also giving you a stronger sense of self worth.
The benefits of volunteering are beyond monetary value. Giving time and energy to others can sometimes result in greater benefit for the giver than for the recipient. Something as simple as putting a smile on someone’s face can give you a sense of accomplishment. Just to have made someone happy at least for a moment is a great reward. As we put out this positive energy through volunteerism we will in turn have positive things happen to us when we may least expect it.
I learned early on that volunteerism and giving back is an important part of my life. I remember my parents helping people in need on several occasions. It was a way of life for us since we lived in a small farming community where neighbors helped neighbors. If your neighbor’s cattle got out everyone worked together to help – day or night, rain or shine.
Great things get done when a community and its volunteers work together to make a difference. I had the honor of serving our country through Americorps where I volunteered at a drop in youth center for at risk youth ages 11 to 18. I remember my first day wondering how and why I was doing this! Then, I met the director, his name was Stan. At a young age, Stan had been bound to a wheel chair from the effects of Polio. Stan never let his disability stop him. He didn’t feel sorry for himself either. Instead he gave. He gave his time and his heart to helping the kids that nobody wanted to deal with in our small community. He volunteered for the youth center and worked at the school as a teacher’s assistant. In addition, he served on several local boards and represented several community organizations at the state level.
We can all learn and benefit from volunteering. Not only is it good for our health but it helps our community as well. Several studies show that the benefits of volunteering give you a healthier heart, better mental outlook, and self-image. Volunteerism can help you develop new skills, build confidence, build new friendships. I’ve found it to be fun, and challenging. It also offers career opportunities, gives a sense of community, while improving your physical and mental well being.
Before volunteering think about your interests, how many hours you are willing to volunteer, and where your skills can best be used. Check in your local phone book, newspaper, church, senior center or go online to see what community organizations could benefit from volunteers. Next, set an appointment and have some questions written down to ask about your potential volunteering opportunity.
Most of all, have fun!
For more information on benefits of volunteerism visit this website:
http://www.nationalservice.org/about/volunteering/benefits.asp
Karina Narduzzi B.A., C.A.M.F.
The benefits of volunteering are beyond monetary value. Giving time and energy to others can sometimes result in greater benefit for the giver than for the recipient. Something as simple as putting a smile on someone’s face can give you a sense of accomplishment. Just to have made someone happy at least for a moment is a great reward. As we put out this positive energy through volunteerism we will in turn have positive things happen to us when we may least expect it.
I learned early on that volunteerism and giving back is an important part of my life. I remember my parents helping people in need on several occasions. It was a way of life for us since we lived in a small farming community where neighbors helped neighbors. If your neighbor’s cattle got out everyone worked together to help – day or night, rain or shine.
Great things get done when a community and its volunteers work together to make a difference. I had the honor of serving our country through Americorps where I volunteered at a drop in youth center for at risk youth ages 11 to 18. I remember my first day wondering how and why I was doing this! Then, I met the director, his name was Stan. At a young age, Stan had been bound to a wheel chair from the effects of Polio. Stan never let his disability stop him. He didn’t feel sorry for himself either. Instead he gave. He gave his time and his heart to helping the kids that nobody wanted to deal with in our small community. He volunteered for the youth center and worked at the school as a teacher’s assistant. In addition, he served on several local boards and represented several community organizations at the state level.
We can all learn and benefit from volunteering. Not only is it good for our health but it helps our community as well. Several studies show that the benefits of volunteering give you a healthier heart, better mental outlook, and self-image. Volunteerism can help you develop new skills, build confidence, build new friendships. I’ve found it to be fun, and challenging. It also offers career opportunities, gives a sense of community, while improving your physical and mental well being.
Before volunteering think about your interests, how many hours you are willing to volunteer, and where your skills can best be used. Check in your local phone book, newspaper, church, senior center or go online to see what community organizations could benefit from volunteers. Next, set an appointment and have some questions written down to ask about your potential volunteering opportunity.
Most of all, have fun!
For more information on benefits of volunteerism visit this website:
http://www.nationalservice.org/about/volunteering/benefits.asp
Karina Narduzzi B.A., C.A.M.F.
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