Saturday, October 31, 2009

Physiolgical & Psycological Benefits of Hope By Scott Schmidt

Physiolgical & Psycological Benefits of Hope By Scott Schmidt

Get Health Get lifeWhat are the effects of a feeling? Are they positive or negative? For many, hope has produced various profound physiological and psychological healing effects. Until recently, these positive proclamations have not always been supported by the medical community. In order to discuss the complexity of these effects effectively, hope must be defined and its positive effects relating to the healing process described. www.dictionary.com defines hope as, “a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.” Secondly they define it as, “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best”. Hope is like the wind; no can see it, grab it, or touch it yet, there’s absolutely no doubt the effects are beautifully magnificent. For this reason, something called the placebo effect which is physiological in nature is now becoming established within the medical community. According to Millicent Bond in a recent study, “Groopman utilizes the placebo effect and the nervous system, with the help of hope, combats pain.” (Groopman, The Anatomy of Hope. New York: Random House Press, 2004. p. (175-190). Bond, Also states, “The placebo effect is widely accepted by medical doctors and scientists. It shows that in some cases a placebo or fake cure can satisfy patients and make them believe they are cured when in reality no medicine, surgery, or treatment has been given. For example a doctor who prescribes a sugar pill or pill containing no medicine to a group of patients suffering from an illness, without telling them that the drug is a placebo, will have some patients who report their symptoms have faded.” (Groopman, The Anatomy of Hope. New York: Random House Press, 2004. P. (175 - 190). In addition, another result of hope is psychological in nature and positively crucial to a person’s emotional recovery. In fact, according to Steven JOnken, PhD “Having a sense of hope, purpose and meaning in one’s life supports recovery.” (Mental Health Recovery: What Helps and What Hinders?) Pg.30 In the same way, this particular study helps us value the accomplishment that people experience during recovery. For example, people begin to develop a sense of meaning and purpose. Furthermore, they begin to reclaim and appreciate their personal strengths. Beyond that, their spirituality becomes acknowledged and their choices become more meaningful. As a result, their friends and peers even become optimistic. Coincidently, a rejuvenation process of knowing what’s important and what’s not is established. Therefore, we have to conclude that this feeling or belief called hope has helped millions of people overcome amazing circumstances beyond comprehension. Perhaps, the effect of remaining hopeful affects the outcome of our circumstance. Essentially, the result of our hope directly coincides with the belief of it. All in all, the effect of hope comes down to one cause and that my friend is faith.

Scott@gethealthgetlife.com

www.gethealthgetlife.com

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