THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 6, 1997 TAG: 9702060040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAT DOOLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 44 lines
A HEADACHE. A knot in the stomach. A flare-up of acne.
The human body has many many ways of signaling that it's stressed.
But sometimes its owner doesn't listen until there's a medical crisis, a wake-up call such as heart attack, says Dr. Louise Lubin, a clinical psychologist in Norfolk.
On Saturday, Lubin and two other Norfolk psychologists will talk about the ways thoughts can affect heart health, in an interactive seminar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center.
In conjunction with National Heart Month, ``The Healing Heart'' is designed for cardiac-rehabilitation patients as well as ``Type A'' personalities, people with a family history of cardiac problems or anyone interested in preventive techniques, Lubin said.
Joining her will be Drs. Stonsa N. Insinna and Michael J. Perkins.
Topics will include the mind-body connection; positive and negative ways of viewing time; mindfulness, or being aware of the present; how to break habits that contribute to illness; the nurturing effects of humor; and personal goal-setting.
``We want to create a day people can take for themselves and look at how to play a role in their health,'' said Lubin, adding that studies show the mind and body do not work independently.
Every thought - anger, worry or fear, for example - creates electrical and chemical changes in the body, she said. Physical responses, such as elevated blood pressure, may follow.
Workshop participants will learn ``tools,'' such as relaxation, visualization and even humor, that promote health, Lubin said.
But the tools are not substitutes for exercise, eating right and taking prescribed medications, she added. Rather, all contribute to wellness.
``We're just looking at a piece,'' she said. ``But it's a piece that's got to be addressed.
``We have to take responsibility for our health.''STAFF WRITER MEMO: Workshop cost is $48 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is
required. For information or to register, call Dr. Michael Perkins at
622-8849. The Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center is at 2800
Shore Drive.