Study Suggests , Perception of Time , Can Impact Our Ability to Heal.
PsyPost reports that new research suggests
that how we perceive time can significantly
impact our body's ability to heal. .
The findings, published in 'Scientific Reports,'
provide evidence to support the powerful link that
exists between our minds and our physical health.
Researchers found that people's
wounds healed faster when they
believed that more time had elapsed.
We go through life acquiring different beliefs based on what
we learn and from our personal experiences, many of which influence us without our
conscious awareness, Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
... e.g. beliefs about whether
we’re likely to get sick, how quickly
we’re likely to heal, the signs that
mean we’re getting older, and so on, Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
PsyPost reports that the findings suggest psychological
constructs, like our perception of time, can exert
a direct influence on our physical health outcomes.
It is often worth noticing our
implicit beliefs, especially when
they’re counterproductive
(e.g. expecting to heal slowly),
and questioning them, Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
How do we know they’re accurate? What alternative beliefs might be equally valid in this context? Are any of the equally valid alternatives more constructive? , Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
How do we know they’re accurate? What alternative beliefs might be equally valid in this context? Are any of the equally valid alternatives more constructive? , Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
Why not believe one of those instead?
That’s the idea – keeping our minds
and our bodies mutually aligned, Peter J. Aungle, Study author and a PhD
candidate at Harvard University, via PsyPost.
The findings reportedly took into account
a number of potential variables, including
age, stress, anxiety and depression.
However, PsyPost points out that the subjective
nature of time perception and its variability
across individuals makes it difficult to
fully understand the mechanisms at play.