I recently heard a news item regarding the previous Health Secretary’s WhatsApp messages. The article discussed his use of fear tactics to ‘scare the pants’ off the nation during the recent pandemic and thus keep them inside their homes.
At a time when we needed to draw strength and support from each other we were encouraged to cower inside our homes consumed with the fear of contracting a deadly disease. The entire globe was thrown into chaos. On an individual basis we all encounter fear when our well-being is at risk of failing.
It has been said that up to 90% of sickness may be as a direct result of negative emotions. Studies into the placebo and nocebo effect have demonstrated occasions where people have had both positive and negative health outcomes from expectation alone. I want the clients I serve to overcome any anxiety they have about their health. No matter what their health status may be, an unhealthy amount of stress about it will not make anything better, only worse.
I’m a Christian and so for me the Bible is the Word of God and holds the upmost importance in my life for guidance, support and direction in all areas of my life. It is my belief that Scripture and true science are in complete harmony
One recurring directive that can be found in the Bible is the command to fear not. It is said that there are 365 references to not be afraid or fear not, one for every day of the year. I wonder if God looked down through the ages and saw that stress and fear would continue to be huge problems for mankind and made provision in the form of promises to support people in their need.
In contrast to a fearful approach to health I want to reframe a well-known but little used principles which I rebrand here as Fearless health. The acronym refers to the eight laws of health which can be adopted towards every condition we may encounter and give us much needed tools to approach our situation with clarity.
What are these principles and how can we use them to address our health?
Fearless Health
Food and nutrition
Exercise
Air
Rest
Lots of water
Existential belief
Sunlight
Self-control
HOW FEAR AFFECTS HEALTH
Fear can have both short-term and long-term effects on our health. In the short term, fear can trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response, which can cause physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating. These symptoms can be beneficial in situations where we need to react quickly, such as in an emergency.
However, if fear is persistent or chronic, it can have negative effects on our health. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones, such as cortisol, can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Chronic fear can also lead to anxiety and depression, which can further impact our overall well-being.
In addition, fear can also affect our behaviour and lifestyle choices. For example, if we are fearful of social situations, we may avoid socialising altogether, which can lead to social isolation and a lack of physical activity. This can further contribute to poor health outcomes.
Overall, while fear can be a natural and necessary response to certain situations, it’s important to manage and address chronic or excessive fear in order to protect our physical and mental health.
Over the course of the next few articles, we will discuss how adopting a fearless approach to chronic illness can help us to improve our health outcomes.