Page 33 - TA Magazine Winter 2022

CHECKING IN VERSUS CHECKING OUT

aration within our family community? To me, the best way to via the hypothalamic-pituitary-immune axes and autonomic lifestyle changes of the last 18 months. “FOR don’t threaten our own. More importantly,
do that is to focus on creating connections instead of conflict. nervous system, but you don’t have to be concerned with all They’re having a very hard time tran- THE when we respect the choices of others we
that to experience the health benefits of oxytocin. All you have sitioning back into a more socially free WORLD protect our own right to live the way we
TO
Gratitude & Togetherness to be concerned with is feeling good by being in the company existence. It’s up to us as adults to lead REALLY choose, as well.
by example in mitigating our own fears
of people you love, and oxytocin will take care of the rest.
TO MOVE OUR families in that direction we should be ap- to show them how to create connection HEAL, When we live in a more connected and co-
proaching our relationships with gratitude, and not fear or In contrast, research consistently shows emotional stress has with the world and others again. I think WE operative way like this it creates more bal-
upset, because we finally have the opportunity to celebrate the opposite effect by generating free radicals and other harm- the new year provides a lot of opportuni- CAN’T ance in the world, similar to a healthy body
together again. I hope we haven’t forgotten that for nearly 18 ful chemical changes in the body that suppress immune func- ties for that, but it can’t happen if we’re HAVE that’s in balance. Every cell, organ, tissue,
months we weren’t able to see the family and friends we love tion. In fact, chronic stress is a primary risk factor in nearly caught up in conflict. AN and system not only has to do its own job,
while quarantined. A year ago, most families were fragmented all diseases and makes us more susceptible to everything from US but it has to coordinate with all the other
into much smaller groups with some doing their best to stay colds to cancer. Nothing creates a stronger and faster VS. cells, organs, tissues, and systems for health
connected with video conferencing, while others were com- connection between people than love. Of THEM to happen. If one organ decided to isolate it-
pletely isolated. course, acting from fear has the opposite MENTALITY. self and pull out of this shared effort disease
Past Informs the Present effect. In my daily life as a parent, wife, IT’S would occur. If just one cell decided it was
We get to re-establish those strong emotional and social bonds SO EVERY NEW YEAR, especially this one, should be focused on doctor, sister, friend, customer, perfect GOT only going to look out for its own interests
that are essential to family unity. how we can bring our families together rather than dwelling stranger, and any other role I find myself TO by replicating and supporting more of itself
on our differences. If we are committed to conscious living and in, I know I only have two choices in how BE it would result in cancer. I think we can see
WE.
Happiness for Health evolving into greater self-awareness, then it’s up to us to recog- I can interact with others. I can choose to THE this metaphor playing out in today’s world
where so many people and special interest
nize that the things going on in our outer world, whether good
act from love or fear. I can create connec-
REINFORCING THESE LOVING CONNECTIONS not only improves or bad, are reflections of deeper issues inside. If our emotional tion or conflict and separation. With this FOCUS groups don’t respect the choices of others.
22 our emotional health, but our physical health, as well. When reactions aren’t to our liking, then we must look inside our- in mind, I’m always asking myself as I HAS Is it any wonder why the world just doesn’t 22
Y ANDERSON WINTER 20 One of these changes is an increase in oxytocin, the love hor- Remember, the goal is to enjoy each other’s company. That and COVID, I’m seeing more and more our opinions or choices are we all want Y ANDERSON WINTER 20
TO
we’re joyful and feeling supported in the company of people
seem to work on any level anymore?
selves for the parts of our past that cause us to be unconscious-
go about my day whether my words and
BE
ly triggered and set an intention to heal them. Just understand-
actions in a given situation are coming
we love, the body is flooded with healthy endorphins and
ON
The Ultimate Choice
overall health.
emotional issues can be enough to keep the fear at bay.
Unfortunately in the Age of Outrage
30 countless chemical changes that boost immunity and improve ing that most of the time our upset comes from unresolved from love or fear. UNITY...” AT THE END OF THE DAY no matter what 31
requires consciousness, cooperation, and compromise on ev-
mone that’s responsible for human attachment and bonding.
people living unconsciously and making
the same thing—health, wealth, happiness,
eryone’s part. That’s what creates connection, not conflict.
and love. Perhaps finding similarities along
fear-based, reactionary choices without
For example, skin-to-skin contact after childbirth and during
attacking their ideas without a shred of
and her baby to secure a strong emotional connection between
for creating connections.
them. Likewise, we experience surges in oxytocin in romantic
compassion for anyone else’s concerns,
C breastfeeding triggers high levels of oxytocin in both a mother Leading by Example thinking at all. They scream at others, those lines would be a good place to start C
TRA relationships or when spending time with loved ones that rein- UNFORTUNATELY, we seem to be living in a time when an in- which are actually as important, if not At the same time, people who create more TRA
force the bonds between us. creasing number of people lack the ability to respect opposing more so than their own, when it comes to health and well-be- connections and less conflict in their lives create more op-
opinions and not feel threatened by those who hold them. So ing. As more of our children continue to fall prey to anxiety, portunities for themselves because all opportunities lie in
When we’re with family, our elevated oxytocin levels are pro- many people and social groups are outraged now on a daily depression, and suicidal thoughts under the mounting pressure other people. So setting the intention to make more con-
tecting us in many ways. Research has shown that oxytocin basis about some issue that it’s almost impossible not to be from all this fear and conflict, how we choose to show up in the nections will open the door to a more prosperous New Year
can protect the thymus gland, promote the development of affected by the negative energy this constant conflict generates world every day as adults will determine the future they create in many ways. No matter what your goals are for this year,
bone marrow, strengthen immune defenses, and inhibit inflam- throughout the country. This conflict used to be prominent because they’re taking their cue from us. your odds of achieving them are much greater the more
mation. Oxytocin has antibiotic effects as well and protects us in just the political realm, but now it’s firmly entrenched in connections you can make.
against pathogenic microbes, while promoting wound healing healthcare, as well. In the age of COVID, healthcare and even Continuous Connection
and regeneration. our personal healthcare choices have become politicized. Whatever your intention for the New Year is, be sure it isn’t
AS WE LEARN HOW TO increase connection within our families, just about you. While it might make your life better it should
It’s particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health. Not only Insulating our families from this polarizing effect requires re- let it be our intention for the New Year to go on creating this also make the world a better place to live in, as well. How will
does oxytocin work to heal damaged heart tissue, but it binds spect for everyone’s individual choices. This used to be a live kind of connection in the world around us no matter what this achieving your intention create greater good beyond your im-
to receptors inside the arteries to stimulate the release of calci- and let live world where we knew how to respect differing person or that group believes about something. That’s how we mediate life? How will it create more connections in the world?
um, which triggers the production of nitrous oxide (NO) that opinions. This keeps us engaged with family and the rest of the begin to heal a world that’s dividing into even more fractured Just like a cell in the body you are one cell in the body of all
helps arteries dilate so more blood can flow easier and the heart world so we don’t check out or retreat from those who disagree and opposing groups by the day. humanity, and every choice you make affects the greater func-
doesn’t have to work so hard. with us. The more we engage with others, the better overall tion of the world as a whole. Will it be connection or conflict,
quality of life we will have. For the world to really heal, we can’t have an Us vs. Them love or fear? TA
Even better, studies show NO compounds inhibit SARS-coro- mentality. It’s got to be We. The focus has to be on unity
navirus infection and viral replication. This all happens In my practice, I’ve seen many children suffering from depres- through mutual respect for different life choices. When we do “Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
through the neuroendocrine regulation of the immune system sion and anxiety upon returning to school after the drastic this we teach our children that those with differing opinions RUMI