Recently this question has been on my mind. And the conclusion that I have come to is yes, intent matters. But what does this have to do with life or health? Today’s post is going to be a bit more philosophical in nature but again I think that it is something important. I hope you will come to see why this is important and how it may affect your health and well-being.
To start off what do I mean by ‘intent’? The idea I am getting at is our motive or reason behind our actions. What we hope to happen through our actions. The idea of intent making a difference is not a new concept. In the Bible we can read: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1). And in other scripture we read: “For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.” (Moroni 7:8). So this is not a new idea but has been around for thousands of years. But it does not just apply in a religious setting either. Now what about in a health setting?
Placebo and Nocebo
Most people are probably familiar with the placebo effect. Merriam Webster online defines placebo effect as “improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used.” Another example is that a placebo is often used in experiments. The placebo really does not have any beneficial effect itself but some people will improve when given a placebo because they think or believe it will help them. The opposite effect can also happen and this is the nocebo effect. The definition of nocebo is “a harmless substance that when taken by a patient is associated with harmful effects due to negative expectations or the psychological condition of the patient.”
While placebo and nocebo are not exactly the same as intent, I think it they are very closely related. In my mind it comes back to what we believe or our expectations with a certain action. This goes back to intent or why you are doing something and what you expect to happen because of that action. So placebo and nocebo are basically examples of intent in relation to yourself. When you take or do something you intend for a certain result and often that result to some degree will happen. So what about intent in actions toward others? Does this matter?
Examples
So does your intent in actions towards others matter? I think it does. Now I do not have any handy studies to back up this point, though I believe there probably are some out there if I looked hard enough. From my experience intent does matter. As a chiropractor when I am most focused and intent on helping people and not distracted by other things, I find patients have greater results. Now that is not to say that doing good and healthy things won’t result in good results, but when the focus and intent is there it seems to be even better.
Now why might this be? Well my thought is that our intent changes our actions. Now I am not talking about the overall action but the little subtle things. I don’t think most of these little things are even consciously perceptible, but are done subconsciously. I think most of us have experienced this is some way or another. Going back to the example of giving a gift, it might be given grudgingly or sincerely. While the overall action of giving the gift is the same is there a difference in receiving a gift that is given grudgingly or sincerely? I truly believe there is and it goes back to our perception. If a gift is given insincerely even if done with a smile and all the outward show of sincerity often we will pick up on something amiss and it won’t mean the same. I truly believe that we are more than just a physical being, but that there is a spiritual part to us all. And I think some of the intention is perceived spiritually.
How Does This Relate To Health?
Intent relates to health because to truly be healthy we need to have balance between our body, mind, and soul. Intent has a lot to do with our soul. If we do things with good intent, it is healthy for our soul, but when we have bad intent with our actions it is detrimental to the health of our soul. And this also relates to the mind as well. Again, when we are positive in our thoughts, intents and actions we will be a more positive person and think more positively. And there is quite a bit of evidence out there that positive thinking can improve your health.
In closing, I ask you to think a little about your intents and actions. Also I invite you to try a little experiment of your own—to focus on what you do with real intent in helping and serving others and see if it makes a difference.
If you have any experiences that are an example of how intent has made a difference in your life I would love to hear it. And if you would please share it in the comments. Thanks!
References:
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/6.1?lang=eng#0 accessed January 14, 2015.
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.8?lang=eng#7 accessed January 14, 2015.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placebo effect accessed January 14, 2015.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nocebo accessed January 14, 2015.
