Physiology is the study of how the human body works. Your physiological state can help determine your physical and mental health. According to Anthony Robbins, author of "Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement," when you change your physiology, you can improve your quality of life and how you view the world. If you are feeling run-down, unmotivated or stressed, change your physiology to improve your symptoms and your outlook on life.
Physiology
How your body works and how your internal systems function together as a whole plays a large role in how you feel, both physically and mentally. If you are not feeling as good as you would like, you can change your physiology to also improve your symptoms. Robbins notes in his book, "Awaken the Giant Within," that every emotion and symptom you feel is directly related to how you move your body. Changes in your gestures, stance and facial movements might bring about powerful changes in how healthy and happy you feel.
Physical
Physical movement is an important way to change your physiology. When you feel run-down, tired and unmotivated, movement may be the last thing on your mind, but when you force yourself to get moving, your entire physiology can change. Robbins recommends taking deep breaths, sitting up straight and smiling as additional ways to make yourself feel better. When you make a conscious effort to smile and stand up straight, your create pleasurable neural pathways in your brain, which will encourage you to continue the motions in the future because they make you happy. MayoClinic.com reports that exercise can have a positive impact on your mood. Regular exercise has the potential to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Physical activity might calm and relax you so you feel less stressed and more confident.
Mental
Viewing the world with a positive attitude is a physiological way to help ease feelings of sadness, hopelessness and depression. Robbins notes that simply changing your facial expressions from sadness to happiness can help you feel better. Do something you enjoy, such as singing, to help build pleasurable neural pathways that increase your feelings of happiness and encourage you to adopt new behaviors into your daily routine. Keep a smile on your face throughout the day and see how much better you feel. "Psychological Reports" notes that smiling and laughing can improve your mood.
Additional Recommendations
When you find it difficult to change your physiology, envision how you would stand, breathe and look if you were confident in yourself. Adopt that stance, breathing pattern and facial expression to help you change your thinking so your physiology can also change for the better. Make yourself do something pleasurable each day, such as laughing or smiling at your children. When you can look back and remember these pleasant feelings, your physiology will begin to change as you integrate them into your daily life. While changing your physiology can have a powerful impact on your physical and mental health, if you do not experience changes, contact your doctor.
References
- Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement; Anthony Robbins
- Awaken the Giant Within; Anthony Robbins
- Psychological Reports: Effects of Laughing, Smiling and Howling on Mood
- MayoClinic.com: Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms
