When dealing with chronic illness like arthritis, especially when you are in pain, it can be hard to maintain a positive attitude. Sometimes, with certain diagnoses, it may seem impossible to find hope or remain optimistic. However, as we’ve mentioned in past blogs, “Food For Thought: The Power of Positive Thinking”, and “ “Turning Negatives Into Positives”, thinking positively, even in a negative situation, can not only make you feel better emotionally, but can also benefit your physical health!
In fact, there have been studies that show that positive people are more healthy than negative people, and there have also been studies that supposedly prove that the “mind over matter” theory truly exists. Can our thoughts heal?
No doctor will write you a prescription for a dose of laughter or a bottle of smiles, but, most will recommend practicing an overall lifestyle of wellness — and this includes thinking positively, and doing things that make you happy — especially since depression is often a comorbidity with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and/or fibromyalgia. In some cases, the cause is physiological – some autoimmune diseases cause an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain; in other cases, the cause is emotional – patients may feel down and depressed about their diseases. (This is why we think that having support from loved ones — whether in person or via an online community, is so important!)
It may sound like baloney to some of you. I know when I am having a “bad” day, that it is easy to scoff at people who tell me to “stay positive” and “keep smiling” — I tell you, it’s easier said than done! That being said, I do know that there is, however, validity in their points. After all, no one wants to be around a Debbie Downer all the time, and being happy does make you feel so much better…if not physically, than at least emotionally and spiritually! Today I woke up feeling badly - it seemed that all of my physical ails were bothering me at once. I had a can’t-face-the-world, “how can I keep living like this”, BUMMER kind of morning. However, as I sipped my tea, dog snoring at my feet, birds chirping in the other room, doing work I love, in a beautiful home in all of it’s holiday bliss, knowing that I have a wonderful support system of friends, family, and loved ones – I felt supremely blessed, health issues aside. In fact, reveling in all that was GOOD, thinking about the many wonderful things and people in my life, doing a job that I love that at times helps others, made my health issues a NON-issue. Sometimes, all it takes is to look at things from a different perspective! Instead of moping around, dwelling on your sickness and wondering “why me”, take a step back and wonder, why NOT you? Bad things happen to all of us. You can handle it!
The good news is, there are many medical treatment options out there that you can try, whether traditional or naturopathic. There is a whole world of nutritious food, and helpful websites, and positive people to help you keep pushing on! They say that you can heal yourself with your thoughts, so why not give it a try?
You may be wondering who “they” are. Here are just a few examples that I’d like to share – before I begin, I’m not saying that a positive attitude will “cure” you. Being optimistic, in almost all cases, is not going to allow you to give up your meds or never set foot in a doctor’s office again, but, it will make you happier in general, which could potentially lead to better health, and will definitely lead to a better overall outlook. Besides, they say that positivity and happy thoughts are good for the human collective conscience as a whole. And isn’t THAT a worthy goal?
Here’s who “they” are…
* Louise Hay - Louise Hay, author of “You Can Heal Your Life” and “You Can Heal Your Body”, among many other
books, is one of the pioneers of the mind-body link, and claims that she healed her cancer through the power of positive thought and “thinking it away.” Through “affirmations”, she convinced herself that she was not sick…and she, somehow, was cured! In fact, she believes that there are MENTAL causes for PHYSICAL ailments. Regardless of what you believe, her story is an inspirational one!
* Deepak Chopra - Deepak Chopra encourages overall well-being through physical and emotional wellness, spiritual health, and guided meditation. He is a world-renowned leader in the field of mind-
body healing, and has held world leaders and international celebrities among his clientele. He has authored more than 55 books and believes that we hold the key to our own well-being. He is certified as a traditional MD but is more engaged in “alternative” medical practices. He encourages a clean lifestyle in all ways and is known for his theories on shared human consciousness and positive thinking starting with one’s self.
* Marilyn Mandala Schlitz - Marilyn Sclitz, PhD, is at the forefront of Noetic Science, a new field that has been brought to light in the book, the Da Vinci Code. Marilyn, who heads up IONS, has “pioneered clinical
and field-based research in the area of human transformation and healing.” She has authored books on “mind-body medicine” and has helped to perform scientific experiments on healing and is bridging the gap between medicine and spirituality. Schlitz is “a leader in the area of consciousness research. She has conducted basic science research on the powers of the mind, including remote viewing, mind over matter, and distant intention and healing. She has engaged in clinical studies of consciousness healing and is currently completing a National Institutes of Health (NIH, part of the Department of Health) sponsored study looking at the power of compassionate intention on wound healing in woman undergoing reconstructive surgery.”
Whether you “believe” any of this or not, it is compelling information to take a look at! It doesn’t matter what religion, faith, or creed you practice, if any….it is about using your mind and soul to aid in healing your body. We are not encouraging or pushing any viewpoint, but just putting it out there…
I look at it this way — it couldn’t hurt! With the holidays approaching, there is no better time to think positive and to get in the “jolly” spirit! Why not start today with leading your health into a positive direction? I’m going to!
Let me know your thoughts – how does being positive/optimistic help you? Have you ever “healed” an ailment through thoughts or know anyone for whom these types of things have worked? I know people who have been healed in a near-fatal situation by an Indian stone, people who have willed cancer to leave their system, and (this is just in my case, not preaching to anyone!) have seen prayer work wonders. I know from personal experience that trying to be happy in light of it all is the best weapon against disease! After all, being negative and dwelling on it isn’t going to help matters much – so making a conscious effort to stay optimistic, hopeful, and positive cannot hurt! It can only help. Why not give it a try? You can think yourself healthy!
Thanks for reading, and be well! And please, stay tuned for my next entry in Ashley’s Journey to Wellness.
PS: ‘Tis the Season!
Feeling generous and want to give a gift to help spread arthritis awareness and eventually find a cure? This holiday season, why not donate to the Arthritis Foundation of Western PA? There are many ways that you can help! Check out our many ways to give this holiday season…
Stop down at our Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K tomorrow, December 12th, and sign up to walk/run, or, enjoy the Holly Hour and donate tips to the AFWPA! Info can be found here: http://jbrprgh.kintera.org
You can donate while you tweet! So easy! Not to mention, you can give in low increments! Visit www.twonate.com and use AFWPA as the charity code! Here is our profile.
Another way to give…WITHOUT spending a dime? Be sure to use www.GoodSearch.com as your search engine and set “Arthritis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania” as the charity that you “GoodSearch” for. Also, this holiday season, you can do the same as you finish up shopping online – use www.GoodShop.com - every search and every purchase benefits our chapter at no extra cost to you!
We have a Cause on Facebook, too. You can “Join” or cause or “Donate” here to Help Spread Arthritis Awareness – click here!
Our friends at WHIRL Magazine also featured us in their Charity WHIRL 31 Days of Giving special: check it out HERE.
Last but not least, you can always visit our chapter homepage at http://westernpennsylvania.arthritis.org for information on how to donate online or how to take part in a United Way payroll giving campaign to benefit the Arthritis Foundation of Western PA. Feel free to call us or mail us a pledge if it suits your fancy, too!
We know times are tough, but we appreciate any help that you — or Santa — can give us this holiday season! To learn about some of arthritis research initiatives we’ve contributed to, click HERE — let’s move together to find a cure for arthritis! Together, we can make a difference!
Thanks,
-Ashley Boynes
Community Development Director
Western Pennsylvania Chapter
voted, “Best Blogger in Pittsburgh!”
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