Mast Cells and The Mind

In our webinar on Mast Cells and the Mind, hosted by Deborah Bircham of Live Well with Chronic Illness, we explored the relationship between mental and emotional well-being, stress, anxiety, and physical health, especially for those living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

This page will detail the key insights but if you would prefer, you can watch the full webinar here.

You can also download a PDF on Mast Cells and the Mind here.

The Importance of Mental Well-being for Physical Health

Recognising and managing unhelpful thoughts is crucial for mental health. Cultivating self-worth and finding small ways to give oneself meaning and purpose can significantly enhance overall well-being.

Acknowledging and validating your feelings, along with planning coping strategies in advance, are essential steps.

Mindfulness and other tools can support mental well-being effectively.

Stress can trigger MCAS, leading to physical symptoms. Understanding this connection is key to managing both mental and physical health.

Managing Anxiety and MCAS Through Mindfulness and Self-care

Each person's journey with chronic illness is unique. What works for one may not work for another. Revisiting ideas and tools shared in the webinar can help find what suits you best at different times.

You can view and sign up to any of our virtual events here. We also have some Qigong and Mindfulness videos on our YouTube channel. If Yoga is more your thing, why not try some Yoga Nidras here. 

Are you meeting your Core Needs? Conducting a life audit can be an insightful exercise to help you evaluate and enhance your overall wellbeing. 

Strategies for Coping with Anxiety

It's important to acknowledge your feelings and plan coping strategies in advance. Validating emotions helps in managing anxiety effectively.

Mast cell reactions can cause physical anxiety. 

Mast cells communicate with the nervous system through receptors and neurotransmitters, responding to stress signals. Stress triggers mast cell activation, releasing inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Managing this response is crucial for individuals living with MCAS.

The Autonomic Nervous System and Stress

Dr. Steven Porges' polyvagal theory explains how the vagus nerve regulates the autonomic nervous system, influencing heart rate, breathing, and digestion. 

The fight or flight response affects bodily functions, immune system, and cell repair. On the flip side, the rest and digest state promotes healing and regeneration.

Practical tools for sending safety signals include staying calm, breathing exercises, positive affirmations, and self-compassion. These help manage chronic illness and mental well-being.

You can download Deborah's guide to Hand Breathing and Lotus Flower Breathing here. 

Mindfulness and Positive Thinking

Acknowledge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with positive ones. This helps reduce anxiety and maintain a healing state. Breathing exercises, such as 7-11 breathing, activate the vagus nerve and switch on the parasympathetic system for relaxation.

Affirmations calm the nervous system and build helpful neural pathways in the brain.

Finding joy and gratitude, even during difficult times, has biological benefits. Tips include noticing small things that bring joy and writing them down, which helps build a positive outlook.

Self-care, Purpose, and Hope

Recognising your value and worth despite illness is empowering. Taking positive actions and finding purpose can lead to better health outcomes.

Small actions, like feeding birds or responding to a message, can give a sense of purpose and enhance well-being.

Avoid stressful media, build self-worth, and focus on self-care to manage mental and physical health effectively.

Knowing our values is important to help us acheive fulfilment. You can use this guide to help you plan what you need to be doing in order to feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment.