Smile and Think Positive! :)

New study shows the power of positive thinking and a positive mental attitude - more patients experience successful effects from taking medicine when they have a positive outlook on their expectations :) I love it!

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20110216/positive-expectations-may-make-drugs-work-better?ecd=wnl_cbp_022411

:)

How to Tackle Chronic Illness

This is really good, well written and awesome advice. I follow this migraine blog and have found it super informational and helpful, as a lot of it also applies generically to chronic illnesses and not just migraines.

Choose to roll your rock instead of carrying it:


http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/1-thursday-roll-the-stone/



I do think attitude can play a big role in dealing with a chronic illness like fibromyalgia. I noticed that once I had some inspiration and encouragement and changed my view on fibro I was a happier and even healthier person.


As most of you know I love the two books FibroWHYalgia (Sue Ingebretson) and How to Be Sick (Toni Bernhard) -- as yes I attribute these two books to turning my attitude and outlook around to alot more positivity.

But take your inspiration from where you choose, be it family, children, books, support groups (local or online, try chronicbabe.com online!) It takes patience and time, but it is worth it to have a positive attitude and persevere :)

Choose to roll your rock instead of carrying it:

http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/1-thursday-roll-the-stone/

Post-It Notes Spread Happy Thoughts - JOIN THE CAUSE!

It's easy! And an Amazing Idea!!

Each One Can Reach One

 

I'm gonna start my post-its tomorrow! :)

Learn More about Invisible Illness Week, which is Sept 13th through 19th this year:

http://invisibleillnessweek.com/

Fibro like a Tuning Fork - Sue Ingebretson's Blog

LOVE this analogy Sue! Everyone, please read this, is a good one!

"I’ve often said that I’m thankful for fibromyalgia. Learning how to analyze and deal with chronic illness has taught me powerful lessons I wouldn’t have learned any other way. The Fibromyalgia Tuning Fork Analogy is one lesson I share at most speaking engagements...."

Read the rest of her story here on her blog!

http://www.rebuildingwellness.com/blog/fibromyalgia-tuning-fork-analogy/

*Hugs*

"Some say the best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes, but I say go out and hug somebody."

- Barbara Johnson
from God Always Has a Plan B

Bring Sunshine to Others

"When we bring sunshine into the lives of others, we're warmed by it ourselves. When we spill a little happiness, it splashes on us. Hope uncovers new possibilities and shows us what can be done. It wrestles with angels, looks impossibilities in the eye and winks, Hope springs eternal. Hope supersedes all good intentions. Keep going by the power of God's grace. Dare to believe that He has planned greater things right around the corner."

-- Barbara Johnson
from God Always Has a Plan B

Make Someone Smile Today!

"You can be a blessing to the people you meet today. Yes, life has its serious moments. But being just a bit kooky may be the secret to seeing yourself and others through good times and bad. Go ahead, make someone's day - make her smile."

-- Thelma Wells
from God Always Has a Plan B

*hugs!*

Start Your Day in the Best Way!

As we head into the weekend I thought this would be a good article to share:

(from "Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers Inc." http://www.fibroandfatigue.com)

Your Mornings…StartYour Day the Best Way Possible!

Rather than awake refreshed from a nights’ sleep, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue sufferers frequently feel exhausted in the morning. Sleep studies of Fibromyalgia and Fatigue patients show a consistent pattern of disruption during the delta “deep sleep stage.” Because your deep sleep is often disrupted, it minimizes the time your body has to rest, repair and rebuild leading to ongoing fatigue and discomfort.

Here are more suggestions to get you moving in the morning:

    1.    Starting your day with a positive attitude, remind yourself that you will control the pace of your day.

    2.    You now need to begin to loosen those muscles. Hopefully, the bed and room temperature are at a comfortable level allowing you to slowly remove some of your bed linen without causing your body to tense or cramp.

    3.    Stretching exercises while lying in bed will loosen and warm muscle fibers to avoid strain upon rising. Take as much time as you need to work from your neck down in a slow, consistent manner. Avoid any quick movements and never stretch to a point of pain. The muscles may feel tight or stiff, but with repetitive movement, stretching and relaxing, you should feel them loosen.

    4.    If you don’t already know your shower intimately, you should! A hot shower upon rising is a terrific way to treat your body and prepare it for the day ahead. Not only will the heat penetrate your muscles, but also the calming effect of the running water is great for mental relaxation. If someone is available, ask him or her to turn the shower on for you before you even get out of bed.

    5.    Continue your stretching while in the shower. You should see a noticeable difference in your movements while under the hot water.

    6.    Don’t forget to jump start your day with a nutritious breakfast and consumption of your Vitamin and Mineral Supplements. The morning is the most effective time for absorption and for you to gain the greatest benefit with this consistent morning boost.

Remember; give yourself plenty of time in the morning. It’s up to you to decide if it’s going to be the worse time of your day or the absolute best time for you to take care of YOU!

HOPE & INSPIRATION

"Drugs are not always necessary, but a belief in recovery is."
- Norman Cousins
(1915-1990)

Look him up, he has an interesting background. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (though today doctors suspect it was actually reactive arthritis) and he poo-pooed doctors wanting to but him in the hospital and pump drugs into him. He hypothosized that the positivity of the human spirit could prevail, so he checked out of the hospital and took heavy doses of Vitamin C, Marx Films for healthy deep fits of laughter, and a heavy dose of hope and positivity! And he did prevail! He survived and thrived much longer than any of his doctors predicted. Inspiring. My new personal motto!

Staying Positive

Can be difficult, it has been difficult for me. I got this book today "Where is God When it Hurts?" by Phillip Yancey. [I found an inexpensive way to acquire books that I like to read and resource - www.swaptree.com ] I have just not understood why God would make a person suffer, I keep feeling like I have done something wrong in life and God is punishing me. I feel like everytime I find some kind of happiness in my life it gets crushed, I mean not just crushed but demolished. Why? Why? Why? Its like I am now scared to ever be happy again, because it will just be taken away from me, as seems to be the pattern called my life. Anyhoo. So this book looks interesting, I started reading the first couple of pages and its really drawn me in. Then ironically enough I came across this blogsite!: http://ipopin.typepad.com/think_positive/

Synchronicity. Things happen for a reason.