Conghaileach
22nd January 2003, 11:23
Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the Jan. 16, 2003
issue of Workers World newspaper
-------------------------
EDITORIAL: TO YOUR HEALTH!
British doctors have stumbled on a secret that we think you Workers
World readers already know.
Participating in organized protests is good for your physical and
mental health.
Psychologists at the University of Sussex found that people who get
involved in campaigns, strikes and political demonstrations experience
an improvement in psychological well-being that can help them overcome
stress, pain, anxiety and depression, reported Reuters Health on Dec.
23, 2002.
These doctors don't sound much like Bill Frist,the heart surgeon who is
now Republican Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate and a point man for
the pharmaceutical industry. No, these British docs are actually down
with demonstrations!
"The take-home message fromthis research therefore might be that people
should get more involved in campaigns, struggles and social movements,
not only in the wider interest of social change but also for their own
personal good," said researcher Dr. John Drury.
Volunteers were asked to describe what it was about taking part in
collective action that made them feel so good. They loved feeling a
collective identity with fellow protesters and said they got a sense of
unity and mutual support from taking part that stayed with them for a
long time.
In this country, those who stay home glued to the television set by the
end of the day have seen a gazillion murders, betrayals and sick
brutalities. It's enough to drive anyone over the edge. They need the
movement as much as the movement needs them.
"Empowering events were almost without exception described as joyous
occasions," said Drury. "Participants experienced a deep sense of
happiness and even euphoria in being involved in protest events. Simply
recounting the events in the interview brought a smile to the face of
the interviewees."
So let's get all our friends, neighbors and co-workers to Washington or
San Francisco on Jan. 18. They'll thank us for it. n
- END -
(Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and
distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not
allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY,
NY 10011; via e-mail: [email protected] Subscribe wwnews-
[email protected] Unsubscribe [email protected] Support the
voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php)
Reprinted from the Jan. 16, 2003
issue of Workers World newspaper
-------------------------
EDITORIAL: TO YOUR HEALTH!
British doctors have stumbled on a secret that we think you Workers
World readers already know.
Participating in organized protests is good for your physical and
mental health.
Psychologists at the University of Sussex found that people who get
involved in campaigns, strikes and political demonstrations experience
an improvement in psychological well-being that can help them overcome
stress, pain, anxiety and depression, reported Reuters Health on Dec.
23, 2002.
These doctors don't sound much like Bill Frist,the heart surgeon who is
now Republican Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate and a point man for
the pharmaceutical industry. No, these British docs are actually down
with demonstrations!
"The take-home message fromthis research therefore might be that people
should get more involved in campaigns, struggles and social movements,
not only in the wider interest of social change but also for their own
personal good," said researcher Dr. John Drury.
Volunteers were asked to describe what it was about taking part in
collective action that made them feel so good. They loved feeling a
collective identity with fellow protesters and said they got a sense of
unity and mutual support from taking part that stayed with them for a
long time.
In this country, those who stay home glued to the television set by the
end of the day have seen a gazillion murders, betrayals and sick
brutalities. It's enough to drive anyone over the edge. They need the
movement as much as the movement needs them.
"Empowering events were almost without exception described as joyous
occasions," said Drury. "Participants experienced a deep sense of
happiness and even euphoria in being involved in protest events. Simply
recounting the events in the interview brought a smile to the face of
the interviewees."
So let's get all our friends, neighbors and co-workers to Washington or
San Francisco on Jan. 18. They'll thank us for it. n
- END -
(Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and
distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not
allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY,
NY 10011; via e-mail: [email protected] Subscribe wwnews-
[email protected] Unsubscribe [email protected] Support the
voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php)