What You Talk About, Who You Talk With, and Their Affects on Your Health

Talk can be a blessing or a burden that affects your physical and mental health accordingly. The mere act of talking often drives up your blood pressure; the mere act of listening often lowers it (Lynch, 1985).  And we all know from everyday experience that the content of some conversations definitely upsets us emotionally, and others definitely calms us.  Moreover, since our body and mind are inextricably connected, whatever raises the pressure within our body does the same within our mind, and vice versa.

So, when it comes to our health, talk is not cheap; it’s costly.  Your conversation partner and conversation topic can make a world of difference in your return on health investment.

Some people almost literally have nothing good to say.  When around them, all you hear are their complaints and problems.  Their negativism can prime you to dwell on your own dissatisfactions.  That is, you not only get caught up in their difficulties, but you unwittingly are conditioned to look for difficulties in your own life.  Their toxic influences linger long after you cease talking to them.  This is a "show me your company and I'll tell you who you are" consequence. 

When it comes to the content of conversation, anything is possible.  However, the most common areas of conversation relate to the four constants of mental life: body, environment, thoughts, and feelings (BETF).  These four always are exerting their influence on us, and always begging for our attention.  It is natural, therefore, that BETF dominate our conversations (McCusker, 2004). So, the most healthful conversations likely will occur when you are speaking with a relatively healthy person in a relatively comfortable environment.  Having the constants of body and environment optimized to the extent possible, you can direct your attention toward selecting topics most likely to encourage positive thoughts and feelings, and steering clear of topics likely to instigate negative ones.

The health information that receives the most attention in our culture concerns diet and exercise.  Professionals and media regularly attempt to influence us in both regards.  And that certainly is warranted.  However, during a physical exam, did your doctor ever ask how well your conversations are going?  Have you ever seen a public service announcement advising to improve your health by improving your conversations?  Yet, your conversations play a central role in orienting you toward or away from health promoting behaviors.

What you talk about and who you talk with can make the difference between physical and mental health versus physical and mental illness.  Take control and reap the benefits.

References:

Lynch, J. (1985).  The language of the heart: The body's response to human dialogue.   New York: Basic Books

McCusker, P. (2004).  Conversation: Striving, surviving, and thriving .   Lincoln, NE:  iUniverse   iUniverse