The Stress of Chronic Illness & Pain
Chronic illness and chronic pain can rob you of your joy and cause an abundance of stress, but there are several things you can do to prevent that from happening.
1. Get a second opinion from someone NOT associated with the clinician who made your initial diagnosis. It’s important to make sure your diagnosis is correct. You’d be surprised at how often it may not be.
2. Make sure your team of healthcare professionals is open and accepting of complimentary and alternative medical (CAM) care. Better yet, make sure your team of healthcare practitioners includes a clinician versed in CAM. It’s important to treat the mind, body and spirit.
3. Get mad and then get over it. Stay positive at all costs. No matter what. Force yourself to remain upbeat and positive.
4. Do not dwell on your illness or pain. Shifting your focus away from the illness and pain disengages the mind’s connection to the problem and allows the body to relax and rejuvenate. Invest your thoughts into feeling amazing!
5. Don’t talk about your illness or pain with everyone you know. Don’t post it to your Facebook page or send out mass mailings! Confide only in a handful of very positive, uplifting advocates and confidants who will not dwell on your illness or pain. There are lots of well intentioned people who will be constantly “concerned” about you and will tell everyone they know about your illness or pain out of concern — if they know about it. Remember Step #4 above, we want to shift the focus off of the problem and on to how amazing you feel! You don’t want everyone in your town, church, school, or social club reminding you of the problem when they call, e-mail, or post to your Facebook page to “check on you.” Most people won’t understand this, but trust me when I tell you that it’s a critical step.
6. Invest in yourself. Nourish your mind, body and spirit each and every day.
7. Laugh abundantly every day! Belly laugh to the point of tears multiple times each day. Laughter makes you feel better and helps with healing and feelings of wellness and well-being.
8. Get plenty of rest. It allows your body, mind and spirit to renew and re-energize!
9. Strengthen your daily prayer and meditation practice. Remember, they are NOT the same thing. You need to invest in both prayer and meditation.
10. Eat a daily diet that is organic and vegetarian. If you can’t make that work, eat a diet that is at least mostly organic and mostly vegetarian.
11. Go crazy with gratitude! Be incredibly grateful for everything in your life. Gratitude raises your spiritual energy — your vibration or vibe — by leaps and bounds resulting in increased feelings of wellness and well-being.
12. Make up your mind right now to take control of your illness. Do NOT allow your illness or pain to take control of you. You are the author of this story … the navigator of this journey. Feel empowered. You are in control!
Be well –
Chad Simpson
The opinions and information provided by Chad Simpson and/or The Chad Simpson Group are for informational and entertainment purposes only. These opinions and information are not intended to treat, diagnose, or render medical advice. They are not a substitute for medical advice or treatment from your physician or health care practitioner. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise or physical therapy program. Never start, stop, or make changes to your medication or health care regimen without first checking with your physician.