Emotional stress is a major cause of physical illness, from cancer to autoimmune conditions and many other chronic diseases. The brain and body systems that process emotions are intimately connected with the hormonal apparatus, the nervous system, and in particular the immune system.Gabor Maté
Chronic stressors influence many physical processes in our bodies. It’s not the stress that makes you ill. Much more important is how you respond to that stressor.Gabor Maté
The belief that one can and must control events is prevalent among people who develop chronic illnesses. You see, it’s not stress that kills us but our reaction to it.Gabor Maté
Repressing our emotions maintains a stressful state inside our bodies, thereby creating internal risks for disease.Gabor Maté
When we have been prevented from learning how to say no, our bodies may end up saying it for us.Gabor Maté
Many chronically ill people are people-pleasers. Pleasing others becomes a way of receiving recognition and acceptance, which improves self-esteem, although derived from others.Gabor Maté
Disease is not a random event. It’s a messenger. And stress is the message.Gabor Maté
To undertake a genuine spiritual path is not to avoid difficulties but to learn the art of making mistakes wakefully, to bring to them the transformative power of our heart.Gabor Maté
Our bodies have much to tell us if we are only willing to listen to them.Gabor Maté
Addressing stress cannot be limited to its immediate triggers. Stress is not just what is 'out there,' but how our bodies, minds, and souls cope with what is 'out there.'Gabor Maté