Affirmative Healing
When I was first diagnosed with a chronic illness I read somewhere online about a clinical study in which a group of sick patients who consistently repeated the affirmation “I’m getting better every day” got well significantly sooner than the control group, who didn’t say the affirmations.
Now, the existence of this experiment was second-hand internet information, so I don’t know if there was any such study. Let me be clear about that. I was never able to track it down, and I don’t know if it’s anything more than an urban legend. But as someone coping with overwhelming health issues, just hearing this maybe-fictional story reminded me to hope. I immediately found a piece of sturdy paper and wrote “I’m getting better every day” in bright orange marker and hung it on my wall so I’d see it and remember to say it.
I didn’t think these were magic words that would miraculously cure me, but I knew that there was one sure way to ruin my chances of ever being healthy again, and that was*TO* give up on myself. Even if I had to play what felt a little like mindgames with myself to stay positive, I was going to do it. No matter how sick I became, how discouraged I got, I knew I could not afford to let myself stay in a negative state of mind.
Because whatever positive thoughts may or may not do, the negative ones can be disastrous. I can’t speak to anyone else’s situation, but in my own, I know that stress is one of the worst things for my condition. It makes me more tired, it makes my chronic pain worse, and when I feel stressed and miserable I’m less likely to do things for myself that might help, even simple things like taking a warm bath or doing a little gentle yoga. When I get into a cycle of negative thinking, I’m bombarding myself and my poor, defenseless body with stress every waking moment.
Can the power of one little affirmation stop that juggernaut in its tracks? Are you kidding? No! Of course not.
However, the power of habitual positive thinking, practiced consistently, has helped me. I’m now used to believing I will one day be healthy again. Because I deeply believe this positive affirmation, when my thoughts turn negative I just have to remind myself of something I already know. I haven’t beaten my illness yet, I tell myself, but I most certainly will. And that keeps me fighting. That keeps me working toward my goal.
Even if I’m wrong, and I’m just cultivating delusions, and I never enjoy a fully healthy body again, I’m still keeping myself away from thought patterns that lead to stress and depression. Don’t get me wrong, I still think I’m right. I am going to get well, but even if I weren’t I’d still be coming out ahead.
“I’m getting better every day” is pretty basic, though. Maybe I should add in some extras like laser vision or a cool new bike. It couldn’t hurt to ask.
Do you use affirmations in your pursuit of health? I’d love to read yours and learn whether you think they’ve helped you. Please share in the comments!
November 4, 2011 No Comments
