The Main Tenets of Natural Psychology:

Stress and Your Health: The Mind-Body Connection

Until recently, most threats to people were physical in nature- such as a mountain lion charging at them. You either had to run for your life, kill the lion, or be eaten. Survival depended on the body's marshalling of all possible energy and resources, such as increased blood flow to the muscles, by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline levels. The episode was over quickly, and we could then relax and return to normal functioning (assuming we weren't eaten!). 

Today's stressors tend to be long-lasting, and not easily solved through physical activity. For example, we worry about our jobs, our relationships, our finances, and such worrying is still interpreted by our bodies as threats, so our blood pressure is up, we feel anxious, depressed, and there are no instant solutions. Since we're not built for such sustained tension, our systems eventually break down, resulting in chronic illnesses such as essential hypertension, heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, and, of course, anxiety, panic states, and depression. Which of these syndromes occurs in any particular person is usually determined by genetic factors, but the trigger remains chronic stress.

There are many ways to alleviate the conditions caused by chronic stress, but the first and most important thing to do is to attack the source of our stress- our habit of worrying. It's not the external stress which does us in, it's how we perceive external stressors, how we process them, and how we then deal with them. Learning, for example, how to focus only on issues and concerns that we can immediately control, will help us to more efficiently problem-solve. This is not an easy goal to accomplish, and you may need to consult a psychologist who practices cognitive therapy or solution-based therapy to assist you.

The next step in relieving chronic stress is to increase physical activity and engage in creative endeavors and activities that are fun to perform.

Using Our Natural Ability to Recharge Our Batteries

	Naturalistic studies have shown that all mammals (including humans) need to engage in "play" in order to function well. While many of us do participate in sports and other recreational activities, sometimes we cannot turn off our drive for perfection, to just enjoy the moment.
	The advantages of learning how to relax or meditate are now well-known- not only as tools to reduce anxiety and panic attacks, but also to lower blood pressure and to enhance our natural immune system.
	Using our creative abilities in arts, crafts, or other types of hobbies stimulate the part of our brain reserved for problem-solving, thus enhancing our overall ability to face the problems we encounter in our jobs, and in life in general.
	The natural healing effects of exercise are self-evident. Physical exertion can relieve stress, improve our health by lowering blood pressure, increasing metabolism rates ( resulting in weight loss and increase in muscle mass), and even improving brain function by acting similarly to many antidepressants. Of course, before engaging in any exercise regime, you must consult your physician to ensure that you are healthy enough to endure the regime you are considering. Referral to rehabilitation programs may be appropriate if your health is compromised.

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	As social creatures, we all need to affiliate with others to some degree, but many of us are uncomfortable in our relationships with others, either due to feelings of inadequacy, fear of emotional or physical harm from others, or just a lack of training in how to assertively interact with others
	As predators and food-gatherers, we have a natural propensity for hunting as well as for harvesting. The popularity of gardening and fishing are examples of how we try, in our pastimes, to satisfy these instincts.
	Our ability to create and problem solve has resulted in incredible advances in technology and medicine, but the negative ramifications of these advances have only recently been recognized. Overpopulation, overdevelopment, and pollution are the greatest threats to life on the planet. We need to learn how to balance our technological prowess with an appreciation for the natural balances the earth needs to remain viable.
	Our need for security is also very important. As violence is publicized and glamorized by the media, we feel increasingly threatened and unsafe. We tend to accumulate material goods, and money, to offset our insecurity, but end up seeking wealth as an end-all, be-all. Money can't buy love, the one commodity that, once obtained, can do wonders to our sense of security and well-being. How much of our children's education and training is devoted to developing and maintaining intimate relationships?

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