Living Well, Being Whole, with chronic illness

Living Well, Being Whole, with chronic illness

Why this person? Why now?

Physical Inflammation of stomach - tablets

Body

Health Professionals

Inflammation of stomach - tablets Anxiety and Stress - challenge thinking, relaxation

Soul Body

Soul links. Mind and Emotions

DANGER!!!!!!!! Pupils dilated to see better Trembling Heart Pounding Mouth dry Butterflies in stomach Sympathetic Nervous System Airways opened Muscles Tense Sweating A need to pass urine!!

Fearful or anxious or worrying thought Physical Response!! Heart races, mouth dry Over-breathing Pupils dilate! Hairs stand on end!

When patients go to the doctor 50-80% of symptoms can be traced back to fear, anxiety and stress. (Healthy People 2000, a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) The American Institute of stress suggest a higher figure of 75-90%

A report called the BBC stress test said the biggest predictor of mental health problems is a tendency to ruminate or dwell on negative events for too long. An interesting survey reported by The American Psychological Association in 2012, suggested that 75-98% of illness is a direct result of thought.

Inflammation of stomach tablets, Change diet Anxiety and Stress - challenge and change thinking, relaxation Unforgiveness acknowledge, Let go, forgive

Spirit Soul Body

Ways of thinking based on our upbringing Things that happen to us Where we grow up What our families were like Mind Spirit Emotions Day determined by how we feel. Ruled by emotions. Living on a roller coaster. Running on adrenaline Body Effects on body What we put our faith in.be it God, a witchdoctor medication, medical professionals or ourselves Will Strong willed, try harder, push through Human effort. All depends on us Have to look OK

Chat Time!! 5 minutes 1.Have you thought of yourself as having body, soul and spirit parts? 2.What do you think about the idea that one part can affect another? 3.Can you think of times when a thought you had produced a physical response?

How can I live well and as whole as possible with chronic illness?

Exercise Fun Healthy food Rest Seek medical help Love my body Be thankful for it

When the Body Says NO exploring the stress-disease connection Gabor Mate Switch on your brain Dr Caroline Leaf

Things we regret doing Attitudes Mind-sets Or belief systems Un-forgiveness Disappointments Painful things that happen to us World views Things we carry from our families

Filters in the brain Based on past experiences and memories Incoming information Angry looking person approaching Room full of people talking Scary dog to walk past Email from the boss My body feels weak and tired Thought Response They are going to beat me up I cant go in, I will look stupid Something bad will happen to me, I cant do it He is angry with me I will never be able to exercise again

It is not what happened that cause the damage. It is the lies we have taken from that experience that have harmed us

Medical Evidence a significant association between the diagnosis of breast cancer and a behaviour pattern, persisting through adult life, of abnormal release of emotions In most cases this was to do with repressing emotions, especially anger In the 2 hours immediately after an angry outburst, the risk of heart attack increased nearly 5 fold and the risk of stroke more than 2 fold.

I am not the illness It is not mine. I don t want it! Keep identity separate from the illness

Practical Changes.. Say No! Be willing to Adapt

Stories matter

What do you think about the idea that our thoughts can be changed? And that this can improve our physical health? Do you have experience of other things mentioned helping you live well?

Where do I have unhelpful thinking patterns? Do I express emotion inappropriately? Any adjustments needed to exercise, diet, rest, fun? What is my story? Where can I connect with people in a good way? Is my identity separate to the illness? Do I label myself in unhelpful ways?

Superhero inside!