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a person’s resources are depleted then the ability to
maintain balance is undermined. Defence and repair
systems may begin to fail if the integrity of cell chemistry,
body structures and mind are threatened.
The underlying factors upsetting self-regulation can
be obvious or subtle, intense or diffuse, short-lived or
prolonged. They can include a short-term, severe injury,
for example from a car accident, a bereavement triggering
depression, a spell of rushed working lunches resulting in
bouts of indigestion, or flu caught from exposure to an
infected person. In their own important ways, the resulting
ill-effects tell us something vital about how well we are
adapting to the demands placed on us; they are a message
about things we need to attend to, and changes that we
might have to make.
Challenges affect all three levels – psycho-social,
structural and biochemical – and, since they are entwined,
when there is a problem in one, it can affect how the other
two work. For example, a biochemical disorder such as a
nutritional deficiency or food sensitivity may have
psychological consequences, such as depression. Loneliness
depression, bereavement and inner conflicts can undermine
immune system defences, while a structural injury might
cause pain that then undermines well-being and
relationships.
The implications are obvious: give your body what it
needs to work well and avoid the things that harm it. This
may include taking up yoga, meditation or dance, giving
up smoking, seeing friends or making dietary changes. Do
whatever you need to do to nourish yourself intellectually,
emotionally and spiritually.