Optimism is a good skill to cultivate, especially if you’re interested in doing what you can to improve your health in a number of areas. Blood pressure, cardiac health and immunity improve with regular spoonfuls of sugar optimism. A study at the University of Illinois has found that more optimistic people, experience less anxiety. It […]
Your Home Environment
Home is where the heart is. Home is also where your chronic illness may invite you to stay for longer than you might prefer. Consider putting some principles to work to create a home environment that is soothing to you. In my slideshow for HealthCentral.com, I mention a number of areas in your home environment […]
Chronic Illness Treatments: Hold ‘Em or Fold ‘Em?
As Kenny Rogers sang in The Gambler, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em…” It can be difficult to make treatment decisions, especially if your thought-processes are clouded by pain, and/or lack of sleep. The medication you take can give you brain fog and leave you with that pea […]
Cultivate Self-Care
“Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure, etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.), socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.), […]
The Language of Stress
When you are stressed, the language you use and how you use it, changes. Pay attention to the words, the structure, the intonation, the tonality and the volume and you might discover that a Mr. Hyde–like transformation occurs. I don’t care! I feel so old and tired! I have nothing left! Stop the world and […]