Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

Spring–Summer 2011 | TORCH 15 to crisis.” The pace has become so demanding and frenzied that physician Richard Swenson noted that people simply “don’t have time to heal.” Indeed, the proportion of stress-related disorders has increased exponentially with modernization in the 21st century, including heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sleep disorders, chronic back pain, migraine/ tension headache, as well as depressive and anxiety disorders, to name a few. Mind-Body Connection To buffer the potentially destructive effects of the velocity of modern life, it is necessary to address the mind, body, and spirit in an integrated fashion. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato (427–347 B.C.) advocated a holistic view of man where mind and body are connected. He wrote, “As you ought not to attempt to cure the head without the body, then neither ought you to attempt to cure the body without the soul … for the part will never be well unless the whole is well.” This view gave way to a mind-body split in the 17th century. Scientific advances in anatomy and the cardiovascular system introduced the idea that mechanisms of the body could be studied and understood apart from the mind (or soul). Rene Descartes (1596–1650), often called the father of modern philosophy, is credited with popularizing mind-body dualism. Many of his ideas have since been proven inaccurate, but “Cartesian Dualism” dominated the practice of medicine for the next 400 years. Fortunately, the last 50 years have brought a gradual shift back to a more holistic, integrative approach to health. Perhaps the best example of how modern science is re- embracing the mind-body connection is in the area of chronic pain. Descartes’ simplistic, reductionist theory was overturned in 1965 when Ron Melzack and Patrick Wall demonstrated that pain can occur without a clear stimulus, evidenced by phantom limb pain experienced by many amputees. As Melzack famously said, “You don’t need a body to feel pain.” If physical pain results from a dialogue of sorts between the mind and body, effective prevention and treatment must include both mind and body interventions. Consequences of Our Choices Psalm 139 says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but our unhealthy lifestyle choices can leave us vulnerable to a host of physical and mental problems. James Bray, former president of the American Psychological Association, has said, “Genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger.” While we cannot control our genetic endowment, we have considerable control over the environments to which we expose ourselves and the lifestyle habits we practice. Habits are by definition repetitive and automatic, and they can be either health enhancing or health compromising. Unhealthy habits, such as lack of exercise or not getting enough sleep, take a toll on our bodies as well as our minds. We are especially vulnerable when we do not sense immediate consequences — we then wrongly perceive that our choices have no bearing on health outcomes. At that point we may perpetuate unhealthy habits, like overeating or consuming too much caffeine, as a way to cope with the stress, anxiety, and depression that often follow. Rest for the Mind Psychologist Kenneth Pelletier wrote in his classic 1977 work Mind As Healer, Mind As Slayer that those who manage their lives well consistently practice two distinct behaviors: choosing optimism and accepting responsibility for their actions. Optimism is more complex than merely thinking “happy thoughts.” This is better understood as realistic thinking, which involves an accurate assessment of reality and choosing to view a life event from an upbeat perspective. When we choose optimism, we are submitting to God’s authority in our lives, and this has a soothing, healing effect on our bodies and