Communication and health

Posted on 02/28/2010

In its broadest terms, communication is key to all processes within the universe, from subatomic particles to the billions of galaxies that comprise it. Proper communication leads to balance and harmony, while poor communication leads to imbalance and misalignment. At the level of the human nervous systems, pain is used to communicate that there is danger and that we need to pay attention to an important problem that may hurt us.

When the pain is severe, the information about the painful experience is communicated to our memory structures within the brain, including the hippocampus and the amygdala, so that the message is stored properly and can help us avoid similar dangers in the future. The amygdala is like the energizer bunny; it keeps running and running, even when we are unconscious.

Painful memories stored beyond our level of awareness, will sometimes, when triggered, communicate to our bodies that there may be danger lurking, real or imagined, that must be avoided at all costs. An example is the war veteran who was injured in battle and when a loud noise is communicated via their hearing system his/her brain may cause this person to make their hearing systems more sensitive to any noises and even find ways to hide from future danger.

Some psychotherapeutic processes are geared towards communicating with this person at very deep levels that the danger is no longer present and when they learn to 'communicate with the past memory,' the memory is restored as a useful reminder instead of an urgent and unrealistic threat.

At another level, proper communication at work can lead to jobs that are meaningful, appropriate for the person doing the job, and are efficient for that person as well as the organization they work for. Conversely, poor communication at work may lead to an unhappy and stressful experience for all when a person is placed in a job that doesn't motivate them.

When the things that motivate an employee are communicated to her/his boss, along with reasons for conflict with others, then the chances of having a balanced and harmonious work life are greater.

In cases where the stresses of the workplace are extreme, the afflicted may try to communicate in a variety of ways within and outside of themselves; including meditation and prayer.

In cases where these things don't work, the person may seek a health care professional to help them restore balance. It is important that they communicate their requirements about a practitioner as well as listen to or read communication about the person they may be considering.

When balance is restored, ether alone, or with the help of others, the person may have evolved to the next level. Their new state of balance is communicated to others verbally, by body language and often by improved performance.

As their self esteem increases they are likely to have the confidence to seek more suitable employment within or outside of their current organizations.

In the end, their state of balance is communicated back to the universe in many ways.

"As above, so below. As within, so without."

'Til next time

Dr. Basso has a Ph.D. in Professional Psychology and Biomedical Systems and an MBA in executive leadership. He is president of the Connecticut Holistic Health Association, is an adjunct faculty member at UConn and is a research affiliate at the Yale School of Medicine.

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