The Latest Studies
Two studies provide some new aspects to consider. One study found that negative mood, even if it was momentary, was associated with a strong trend of increased inflammatory compounds circulating in the blood. This may indicate that both negative and positive emotions produce immediate effects on either reducing or promoting inflammation. The other study utilized salivary markers of inflammation in young adults. In this study, measures of negative and positive mood were created from aggregated daily measures of affect (morning and evening ratings averaged across 14 days). Higher positive mood was associated with lower salivary levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of systemic inflammation. Interestingly, negative mood was not associated with any significant effect on CRP. This difference seems to imply that positive emotions produce a stronger effect on lowering inflammation than negative emotions produce on raising inflammation, at least in young adults. Using saliva may pave the way for a lot more studies using this easier to obtain sample to analyze compared to blood.
The takeaway message from these studies is that it stresses the importance of fostering positive feelings, especially awe, in our lives to reduce inflammation as well as positively influence the immune system.
Awe is often linked to feelings of social connectedness and social exploration. So from a practical perspective, the first step is to become more socially engaged. This goal is especially important if you are older or dealing with depression, because these situations often lead to social isolation. Here are some recommendations to become more socially engaged:
• Encourage positive relationships. A person is never too old to learn how to be a better friend, parent, mentor, or better listener. Personal development is a never-ending process.
• Get connected online. Using email, the Internet, and Web-based social networks such as Facebook or Twitter can make a big difference in helping people feel more connected.
• Join a club or church. In today’s world, there are always opportunities to find places to socialize that are positive and healthful.
• Volunteer. There is perhaps no greater opportunity to feel connected than by finding a way to volunteer time and energy towards a greater good. It is perhaps the most powerful way of connecting to people outside of our deepest personal relationships.
The health benefits of increased socialization are significant. Many of these benefits may be related to fighting inflammation and studies indicate that people who feel connected and have strong social relationships have lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.
Next, the question “What inspires you and causes you to feel awe?” What research shows is that something as simple as listening to music, walking in nature, or being creative, can have a positive impact on health. These effects may be related to feelings of awe.
Simply allowing ourselves to not just be in the moment, but to BE the moment can stir the emotions that impact our health positively. Free of charge!!
References:
1. Stellar JE, John-Henderson N, Anderson CL, et al. Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion. 2015;15(2):129-133. 2. Graham-Engeland JE, Sin NL, Smyth JM, et al. Negative and positive affect as predictors of inflammation: Timing matters. Brain Behav Immun. 2018 Nov;74:222-230. 3. Slavish DC, Jones DR, Smyth JM, et al. Positive and Negative Affect and Salivary Markers of Inflammation Among Young Adults. Int J Behav Med. 2020 Jun;27(3):282-293.
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