In my practice, I see clients who seem to be doing all the right things: they eat a good diet, exercise regularly, are in a supportive relationship and enjoy their work. So why do these people experience problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, skin conditions, headaches of unknown origin, anxiety and depression? And why do other people who eat takeaway every other night, drink a bit too much and are intimately connected with their TV remote control experience good health?

It’s generally accepted that half of your health is dependent on your genetic makeup, but what about the remaining half? Could your attitudes, thoughts and beliefs be contributing to your experience of good or bad health?

Thought generates complex combinations of biochemicals which, in turn, stimulate a variety of receptors that create a change in your body structure. An understanding of how to have a healthy diet of thoughts and beliefs can have a great impact on your health. We are all educated to eat well, yet little consideration is given to how your thought diet might be affecting your health.

The chemistry of emotion

Dr Candace Pert, former chief of the Section on Brain Biochemistry at the National Institute of Mental Health (US), pioneered the identification of compounds known as neuropeptides. Endorphins are a type of neuropeptide produced when you laugh or exercise; they’ve been described as the brain’s own morphine. They produce a pleasurable sensation that has been found to directly affect the immune system, the hormonal endocrine system and the entire body.

While emotions have always been considered a byproduct of the mind, they are now also linked to specific chemical processes that take place in the body, not just in the brain. The body shares receptors for these peptides with the many viruses that can enter it, so depending on the peptide load for that particular receptor, the virus may or may not be able to attach, which will then determine whether you get sick or not. This could well explain why some people in your office seem to be sick all the time while others, despite sitting in a “viral fog”, don’t seem to catch anything.

Just as you listen to the weather before you start the day, imagine taking your emotional temperature every morning. Should it be a day that promises frustration, irritation and possibly a tantrum at some stage, you’d better plan to have some fun and laughter, too, to offset the peptide load the stress will produce. You know how great it is to see the sun after days of rain? Well, your body also appreciates a bit of emotional sunshine to keep it in balance.