When the body says 'yes'

Resetting the body & mind for better health

This post’s title is of course a little nod to the amazing book by Gabor Maté, When the Body Says No. In this masterpiece, the retired physician explores the connection between stress and disease. He says that we now tend to experience chronic stress, which has a devastating effect on our bodies, rather than occasional stress, which is normal. He also argues that much of our chronic stress is subconscious, so we may not even recognize it as stress.

Healing is Possible

Healing however is possible. Gabor Maté identifies Seven As of Healing:

• Acceptance - looking at ourselves with non-judgmental acceptance

• Awareness - learning to read symptoms as messages to be heeded

• Anger - channeling the healthy energy of anger to stand forward on your own behalf

• Autonomy - defining what we value and want in life

• Attachment - seeking connections

• Assertion - declaring to ourselves and to the world that we are and that we are who we are

• Affirmation - making a positive statement and moving forward.

What a challenge! It would be so much easier to take a pill wouldn’t it? But it is possible, and personally I feel my body is now saying ‘yes’, keep going, keep moving forward. You are strong. You are healthy. You can do so much more than you previously thought, even when occasional symptoms crop up.

Feeling Healthy & Strong

Last week, I shared a post of social media about my husband telling friends that I now am much stronger and healthier than I was when we met 12 years ago. Although many people liked this post, quite a few people unfollowed me. I am sorry if my post offended or hurt them. Maybe I should have explained what we meant by ´healthier and stronger´… We often associate strength and health to physical mobility, agility and speed as well as the absence of any medical condition.

I do not agree with this. This is too limited a view. We are not just the body. We are not just a diagnostic. We can live with a chronic health condition and even impaired functions but still feel healthy and strong (if you have doubts, I suggest watching the promotional video for the Rio Paralympics 2016 called We're The Superhumans).

As usual, life is not fair and it is much easier for some of us. Feeling strong and healthy while having a bout of fatigue requires far more than while being symptom-free. But we can feel stronger and healthier by reframing the way we talk about ourselves.

What Does You Inner Voice Say?

This little inner voice - or self-talk- that provides a running monologue throughout the day is powerful. If you pay close attention to it, you’ll notice how it includes conscious thoughts as well as unconscious beliefs based on our education, culture and upbringing, what others said about us, etc. Our own personal mix. But this mix is crucial because it provides a way for the brain to interpret and process what happens in our life.

So how do you talk about yourself? Do you think of yourself as strong and healthy? For many years, I believe that MS would prevent me from doing what I wanted to do. Instead it was this self-talk that prevented me from pursuing my dreams. Words matter. Not just in interactions with others but also in our self-talk. Let’s choose carefully.

If you check my website Taming the Walrus you will read on the top banner what I choose to tell myself. With Yoga and Breathwork you can:

Move your body
Free your mind
Transform your life

I believe this to be true and this belief makes me stronger and healthier. What do you think? What do you tell yourself?

Much love to you all

Véronique