ROLE OF EMOTIONS IN PHYSICAL HEALTH

Abstract

The role of emotions in physical health has garnered significant attention across psychology, neuroscience, and medicine, revealing how emotional states profoundly impact bodily systems. This abstract examines the relationship between emotions and physical health, focusing on how both positive and negative emotions affect cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine functions. Negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, and anger, trigger the body's stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While beneficial in short-term situations, chronic stress activation can lead to adverse outcomes such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and immune suppression. Conversely, positive emotions, such as happiness, joy, and contentment, promote better physical health by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, boosting immune function, and accelerating recovery. The physiological benefits of positive emotions include improved relaxation, reduced inflammation, and overall enhanced well-being. Research supports that emotional well-being is critical for physical health, with emotional regulation being key to disease prevention. Future studies should explore the mechanisms underlying emotions' effects on health and identify interventions to improve emotional well-being.