Self-Healing

Mind–body Medicine uses the power of thoughts and emotions to influence physical and neurological health. The study, based at MGH’s Institute for Technology Assessment and the Benson-Henry Institute (BHI) for Mind Body Medicine, found that individuals in the relaxation-response program used fewer health care services in the year after their participation than in the preceding year. The program combined elicitation of the relaxation response with social support, cognitive-skills training, and positive psychology designed to build resiliency.Studies like this one have a huge potential to reduce not only the extreme pressure on the healthcare system, but also improve the personal wellbeing of each individual who can learn and apply these simple techniques into their daily lives.