Is the past making you sick?

Negative emotions that stick around past their sell-by date can have a detrimental effect on our bodies. It's not only the fast pace of modern life that makes us prone to stress-related illness. Stress hormones are also produced in our bodies as a response to grief, anger and feelings of failure, explains Dr Bernie Siegel in his celebrated book Love, Medicine and Miracles (Arrow, R82).

We don't yet understand all the ways in which brain chemicals are related to emotions and thoughts, he says, the salient point is that our state of mind has an immediate and direct effect on the state of our body.

Divorce, or the death of a loved one, has been shown to put people at greater risk of cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure, says Dr Siegel, and more surprisingly, at greater risk of pneumonia and accidental death.

But no matter how distraught you are about any situation, it is important to mobilise your support systems. Often people will become withdrawn and isolate themselves, and they forget that there are people who are willing to stand by them as they rebuild their lives.

Making the choice to be happier, to find emotional support and make use of the networks of caring people around us can be a way to put the brakes on this negative mind-body interaction.

Have you been able to get through a tough time with the support of friends or family? Share your story in the comment box below.