Stop Wallowing in Negativity! It Can Lead to Brain Stupidity and Multiple Organ Diseases

In recent years, more and more studies have shown that long-term negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, etc., can have a serious impact on our physical and mental health. Among them, an important finding is that there is a close link between negative emotions, cognitive decline, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Long-Term Negative Emotions May Lead to Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also known as “dementia”, is a degenerative neurological disease. Alzheimer's disease is primarily associated with two substances - amyloid beta and tau. Memory loss and even deterioration occur due to the accumulation of amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins in the brain.

Although previous studies have pointed out that emotions such as anxiety and depression are “risk factors” for developing Alzheimer’s disease, the risks of these emotions are considered independently. It may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease in a separate way.

Excessive Negative Emotions May Lead to Other Diseases

For older people, long-term repetitive negative emotions can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. But for young people, being in long-term negative emotions is also not a good thing. A 2019 study in the medical journal JAMA conducted a meta-analysis of 300,000 people and found that pessimistic people are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Compared to optimists, pessimists had a 35% higher risk of cardiac complications, including cardiac arrest, stroke, heart attack, and more.

• Heart

When a person is extremely angry within 2 hours, the risk of acute myocardial infarction will increase by 2.44 times; even mild depression, anxiety, or stress will double the risk of heart disease.

• Gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract is the organ that best expresses emotions. Many people will have stomach pains or diarrhea when they are anxious, and they cannot eat at all when they are stressed. Long-term negative emotions can easily cause gastric dysfunction, leading to indigestion, constipation, gastrointestinal inflammation, and unexplained abdominal pain.

• Thyroid

People who are chronically stressed, nervous, and anxious are prone to thyroid disease. Statistics show that 70% of thyroid diseases are preceded by negative emotional stimulation.

• Skin

Urticaria, psoriasis, eczema, itchy skin, and many other skin diseases have their causes and onset processes closely related to emotions.

• Endocrine System

Louise Hay, a famous American psychosomatic therapist, discovered the inextricable connection between the body and the mind through her own illness and recovery process. It is mentioned that women who are prone to anxiety and anger are more likely to suffer from endocrine disorders and diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer.

Ways to Relieve Negative Emotions

Feeling down? Don’t worry, chasing away negativity and achieving a brighter outlook is more attainable than you might think. While life throws curveballs, there are simple and effective strategies to alleviate negative emotions and cultivate a happier state of mind. Let’s explore some practical techniques that can help you turn that frown upside down.

• Accept Emotions

When you encounter a problem, think more about whether others will be troubled by it and how others will solve it. Since other people are also troubled by difficulties, it is only natural to try to accept your own emotions.

• Divert Attention

When you have negative emotions, don’t immerse yourself in them. Try to do other things, such as listening to music, exercising, reading books, or participating in charity activities, to gain happiness and a sense of accomplishment.

• Take the Initiative to Talk

Talking to relatives and friends about the difficulties you are encountering and venting your emotions through talking is also a good way to relieve bad emotions.

• Re-Locate

When we see others achieve success, we inevitably develop a comparative mentality. In fact, everyone has their own advantages. When we see others succeed, we should not fall into anxiety and rethink our self-positioning.

• Sufficient Sleep

Sleep can relieve fatigue and reduce the impact of bad mood on the human body. More and more research shows that dreaming plays a significant role in relieving mood disorders, regardless of whether you remember these dreams when you wake up.

• Take a Deep Breath

When you are stressed, breathe slowly and roll your tongue back as much as possible. This method can balance any emotion in seconds. It is recommended that when emotions arise, take a deep breath and wait patiently for 6 seconds. Only when your emotions stabilize and your thinking ability is restored can you make correct decisions and actions.

• Do More Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise has great anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects and is also great for relieving stress. Aerobic exercise such as running, cycling, and swimming is the best choice. It is recommended to exercise 5 times a week for 20 minutes each time.