I don’t know about you, but I love chocolate chip cookies. When I feel like making some, there are instructions I have to follow and certain ingredients I must to mix together. If I stick to the recipe, I’ll get some mighty good tasting chocolate chip cookies—not that I’m boasting about my excellent baking ability. If I don’t follow the recipe, I may end up with something that tastes pretty bad.
Life can be like chocolate chip cookies; warm, sweet and fulfilling. But there’s a catch. You have to follow the recipe. So what is the recipe to making a chocolate chip cookie life? My recipe contains the following ingredients.
I have found there are four key points to my health that I must manage in order to be as healthy as possible. Each of these points are inseparably connected to one another; and each impacts the other. If any one gets out of balance, there are negative consequences. I call them, appropriately named, “The 4-Points of Health” (I know, it’s not a very creative name, but it works). Those four points are: spiritual health, mental health, emotional health, and physical health. Together, they form a diamond—the hardest natural substance found on earth.
The spiritual is the foundation of everything in my life. Carefully balanced on either side is my mental and emotional health. Together, all three help support my physical health. When something throws my mental, emotional, or spiritual health off balance, my body will suffer the consequences every time. However, when all four are in check, I’m able to enjoy better health and more easily cope with any complications Sickle Cell may throw at me.
I believe “The 4-Points of Health” have application to everybody everywhere. However, as a result of living with a chronic illness, you and I have to take extra special care of our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. By understanding that all four of these points are linked together, you improve your chances at living a happier and healthier life.
Showing posts with label 09) Your Mind-Your Body-Your Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 09) Your Mind-Your Body-Your Spirit. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
EMOTIONAL HEALTH - Having A Positive Outlook
Emotional health obviously pertains to the kinds of feelings that you have. The circumstances of life can sometimes cause you to become stuck in an emotional rut. Depression, anger, guilt, and fear are a few examples of emotions that can disrupt emotional harmony.
Looking back at my life, there have been times when my emotional health was certainly very poor. During these periods, anger was the emotion that seemed to prevail within me. My anger wasn’t of a violent nature. The kind of anger I experienced was an extreme lack of patience with other people and their faults. I also had a tendency to be short tempered and yell at others over stupid things.
Choosing to have a positive outlook goes a long way in surviving life’s adversities and helps keep you out of the rut of negative emotions. Laughing, after all, feels so much better than anger. I know it seems like you have many valid reasons to be unhappy. Trust me when I say, it doesn’t help one bit to dwell on those reasons. Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, and negative feelings, in your case, will lead to poorer health. I’ve learned this first hand time and time again.
When I’ve allowed myself to remain upset or unhappy for long periods of time, it didn’t take long before my health deteriorated. The opposite has also been true. When I’ve been ill for extended periods and made the choice to be cheerful rather than gloomy, I’ve been able to endure my pain much better.
Staying positive doesn’t mean you ignore your hardships. It means you accept them and deal with them as best you can while hoping for a positive outcome. Laughing and having a sense of humor can help relieve stress. Why lug around heavy handbags of anxiety when you can lighten your load with laughter?
To take an example from my life, I’ll share something with you that I recently endured. In September of 2011, my third battle with foot ulcers reared its ugly head; or in my case, its ugly foot. Over a period of many weeks, one ulcer on my left foot turned into three very large and painful ulcers that, together, covered nearly half of my foot. The discomfort, needless to say, was great.
For a period of nearly six months, I struggled with these ulcers; and for most of that time I was unable to be socially active in the way I was use to. Having to be isolated for so long was difficult. For a time, I found myself battling depression as well as my foot ulcers. With the pain and discomfort the wounds brought, it would have been easy to have thrown a self-pity party for myself; but honestly, who would show up for a pity part? I knew, however, that entertaining such thoughts would fill me with a negative energy; and I didn’t need that.
It’s been fourteen months and some of those ulcers still haven’t healed. It would be a lie to tell you that I never get discouraged. There are days when I feel frustrated and a little depressed. Meditation helps; talking with friends and family is useful; reading the struggles of other Sickle Cell patients on the Internet also helps me keep things in perspective.
I remind myself that things could be worse. My ulcers could be on my right foot, which would have made driving impossible (my car is an automatic, so I don’t have to press any petals with my left foot). I could have ulcers on both feet. Or the ulcers could have covered my entire foot rather than nearly half. I’m fortunate that I’m recently having problems with ulcers; some patients struggle with them for years. Things could always be worse.
If you don’t believe that I’m correct when I say that your physical health is closely tied to your emotions, do this: access the memory banks of the supercomputer that is your brain. Has there ever been a time when you physically felt just fine, then somebody said or did something that was so upsetting to you that it triggered a pain crisis right then? I would be surprised if the answer is no. Now imagine being angry or depressed for months or years. If one emotionally upsetting event can trigger a crisis on the spot, how much worse is your health going to be if you keep a negative outlook for a long period of time? The impact your emotions have upon your physical body is profound. Do your best to always have a positive perspective.
Looking back at my life, there have been times when my emotional health was certainly very poor. During these periods, anger was the emotion that seemed to prevail within me. My anger wasn’t of a violent nature. The kind of anger I experienced was an extreme lack of patience with other people and their faults. I also had a tendency to be short tempered and yell at others over stupid things.
Choosing to have a positive outlook goes a long way in surviving life’s adversities and helps keep you out of the rut of negative emotions. Laughing, after all, feels so much better than anger. I know it seems like you have many valid reasons to be unhappy. Trust me when I say, it doesn’t help one bit to dwell on those reasons. Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, and negative feelings, in your case, will lead to poorer health. I’ve learned this first hand time and time again.
When I’ve allowed myself to remain upset or unhappy for long periods of time, it didn’t take long before my health deteriorated. The opposite has also been true. When I’ve been ill for extended periods and made the choice to be cheerful rather than gloomy, I’ve been able to endure my pain much better.
Staying positive doesn’t mean you ignore your hardships. It means you accept them and deal with them as best you can while hoping for a positive outcome. Laughing and having a sense of humor can help relieve stress. Why lug around heavy handbags of anxiety when you can lighten your load with laughter?
To take an example from my life, I’ll share something with you that I recently endured. In September of 2011, my third battle with foot ulcers reared its ugly head; or in my case, its ugly foot. Over a period of many weeks, one ulcer on my left foot turned into three very large and painful ulcers that, together, covered nearly half of my foot. The discomfort, needless to say, was great.
For a period of nearly six months, I struggled with these ulcers; and for most of that time I was unable to be socially active in the way I was use to. Having to be isolated for so long was difficult. For a time, I found myself battling depression as well as my foot ulcers. With the pain and discomfort the wounds brought, it would have been easy to have thrown a self-pity party for myself; but honestly, who would show up for a pity part? I knew, however, that entertaining such thoughts would fill me with a negative energy; and I didn’t need that.
It’s been fourteen months and some of those ulcers still haven’t healed. It would be a lie to tell you that I never get discouraged. There are days when I feel frustrated and a little depressed. Meditation helps; talking with friends and family is useful; reading the struggles of other Sickle Cell patients on the Internet also helps me keep things in perspective.
I remind myself that things could be worse. My ulcers could be on my right foot, which would have made driving impossible (my car is an automatic, so I don’t have to press any petals with my left foot). I could have ulcers on both feet. Or the ulcers could have covered my entire foot rather than nearly half. I’m fortunate that I’m recently having problems with ulcers; some patients struggle with them for years. Things could always be worse.
If you don’t believe that I’m correct when I say that your physical health is closely tied to your emotions, do this: access the memory banks of the supercomputer that is your brain. Has there ever been a time when you physically felt just fine, then somebody said or did something that was so upsetting to you that it triggered a pain crisis right then? I would be surprised if the answer is no. Now imagine being angry or depressed for months or years. If one emotionally upsetting event can trigger a crisis on the spot, how much worse is your health going to be if you keep a negative outlook for a long period of time? The impact your emotions have upon your physical body is profound. Do your best to always have a positive perspective.
MENTAL HEALTH - Use Your Time
To you, mental health might mean something else, but I think of mental health as having to do with:
➢ A person’s ability to cope with life and the things life throws at them
➢ One’s ability to obtain and maintain a sense of well-being
➢ The view a person has of themselves
➢ Mental health disorders such as Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Schizophrenia, and Depression to name a few.
When working at maintaining my mental health, I keep a circle of friends who are happy people who are naturally optimistic. It’s much easier to be positive when surrounded by positive people.
One of the reasons many people become depressed is because they fail to occupy their mind and time with positive activities. Some sit around the house thinking about how miserable their life is, which only makes them more unhappy. Be careful to not allow yourself to fall into this trap. My mental health is largely dependant on keeping my mind busy and being productive. For me, it’s a must.
Living with Sickle Cell Anemia often means having a great amount of down time. Why not use that time to your advantage? For example, you can use your free time to:
➢ Complete makeup homework from school
➢ Start a new hobby or finish a project
➢ Read a book or write a story
➢ Learn to play chess or a musical instrument
➢ Keep a journal or start a scrapbook
➢ Learn to draw or paint
➢ Improve yourself in any way you desire.
I have always tried to find something to do while doing nothing; activities that requires little physical effort. This includes: arts, crafts, reading, writing, and scrapbooking. In doing so, I receive satisfaction in knowing I’m being productive with my time rather than feeling like I’m a lazy toad sitting on a bump on a log.
Finding ways to occupy yourself with your down time can prevent depression, distract you from your pain, be a means of releasing emotional stress, and a source of self-expression. Knowing you are using your time to better yourself will boost your self-worth.
In life it’s common to hear people say, “I wish I had the time to do this,” or “I wish I could learn to do that.” Try to realize that you’ve been given a gift—you have the time most people don’t have to do the things you want.
➢ A person’s ability to cope with life and the things life throws at them
➢ One’s ability to obtain and maintain a sense of well-being
➢ The view a person has of themselves
➢ Mental health disorders such as Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Schizophrenia, and Depression to name a few.
When working at maintaining my mental health, I keep a circle of friends who are happy people who are naturally optimistic. It’s much easier to be positive when surrounded by positive people.
One of the reasons many people become depressed is because they fail to occupy their mind and time with positive activities. Some sit around the house thinking about how miserable their life is, which only makes them more unhappy. Be careful to not allow yourself to fall into this trap. My mental health is largely dependant on keeping my mind busy and being productive. For me, it’s a must.
Living with Sickle Cell Anemia often means having a great amount of down time. Why not use that time to your advantage? For example, you can use your free time to:
➢ Complete makeup homework from school
➢ Start a new hobby or finish a project
➢ Read a book or write a story
➢ Learn to play chess or a musical instrument
➢ Keep a journal or start a scrapbook
➢ Learn to draw or paint
➢ Improve yourself in any way you desire.
I have always tried to find something to do while doing nothing; activities that requires little physical effort. This includes: arts, crafts, reading, writing, and scrapbooking. In doing so, I receive satisfaction in knowing I’m being productive with my time rather than feeling like I’m a lazy toad sitting on a bump on a log.
Finding ways to occupy yourself with your down time can prevent depression, distract you from your pain, be a means of releasing emotional stress, and a source of self-expression. Knowing you are using your time to better yourself will boost your self-worth.
In life it’s common to hear people say, “I wish I had the time to do this,” or “I wish I could learn to do that.” Try to realize that you’ve been given a gift—you have the time most people don’t have to do the things you want.
Remove Unnecessary Stress
Managing the stress in your life plays a large role in staying mentally healthy. In truth, stress will impact each of your 4-Points of Health if not dealt with in healthy ways. I learned early in life that my stress level has a huge influence upon my 4-Points of Health. This is true for everyone, but it’s even more so for people with Sickle Cell, or any chronic illness for that matter.
A stressful event may impact a healthy person, or their health, rather mildly. With Sickle Cell patients, however, the consequences can be more severe. Stress can come from many sources, such as:
➢ Changing schools / Moving to a new area
➢ A big up coming test
➢ Competing in sports / Extracurricular Activities
➢ Death of a loved one
➢ Parents divorcing / Problems at home
➢ A stressful job / Loss of a job
➢ A schedule that’s too busy
➢ Toxic friendships or relationships.
I recall being in middle school and high school. When a big test was just around the corner, I almost always became ill right before the test day. It forced me to learn to not allow myself to become so tense about tests and other stressful events in life.
It’s important to be aware of the stressors in your life and look for ways to relieve the pressure they cause. If reducing the anxiety you experience means taking a less difficult class, playing fewer sports, changing your work schedule or becoming less involved in some of the things you enjoy, then that’s what needs to be done. Though some stress is unavoidable, you can’t afford to have an excessive amount. Otherwise you might find yourself fitted for a teen sized straitjacket and sleeping in a padded room.
Reducing stress may at times require making a change with the people you associate with. Supportive friends can be a source of great strength. However, should there come a time when a certain friend or love interest brings unnecessary stress into your life, you may have to consider making some adjustments.
Keeping yourself healthy should be one of the highest priorities in your life. That means sometimes doing what’s best for you. I’m sad to say I’ve had several friendships where I had no choice but to end them. These friendships were bringing an unhealthy amount of stress into my life, and my physical health was suffering the consequences. To stop being friends with somebody I was once very close to has never been an easy task. However, for the good of my health, that’s the choice I’ve had to make on more than one occasion.
Hopefully you will never be faced with such a decision. Good friends are hard to come by and it’s a shame to loose one. With that said, understand your health takes priority. It must come first. Whether it’s a person, an event, a hobby, job, or some other element that’s bringing unneeded stress into your life, it’s best to remove it. Doing so will help you enjoy a healthier life far from a hospital.
A stressful event may impact a healthy person, or their health, rather mildly. With Sickle Cell patients, however, the consequences can be more severe. Stress can come from many sources, such as:
➢ Changing schools / Moving to a new area
➢ A big up coming test
➢ Competing in sports / Extracurricular Activities
➢ Death of a loved one
➢ Parents divorcing / Problems at home
➢ A stressful job / Loss of a job
➢ A schedule that’s too busy
➢ Toxic friendships or relationships.
I recall being in middle school and high school. When a big test was just around the corner, I almost always became ill right before the test day. It forced me to learn to not allow myself to become so tense about tests and other stressful events in life.
It’s important to be aware of the stressors in your life and look for ways to relieve the pressure they cause. If reducing the anxiety you experience means taking a less difficult class, playing fewer sports, changing your work schedule or becoming less involved in some of the things you enjoy, then that’s what needs to be done. Though some stress is unavoidable, you can’t afford to have an excessive amount. Otherwise you might find yourself fitted for a teen sized straitjacket and sleeping in a padded room.
Reducing stress may at times require making a change with the people you associate with. Supportive friends can be a source of great strength. However, should there come a time when a certain friend or love interest brings unnecessary stress into your life, you may have to consider making some adjustments.
Keeping yourself healthy should be one of the highest priorities in your life. That means sometimes doing what’s best for you. I’m sad to say I’ve had several friendships where I had no choice but to end them. These friendships were bringing an unhealthy amount of stress into my life, and my physical health was suffering the consequences. To stop being friends with somebody I was once very close to has never been an easy task. However, for the good of my health, that’s the choice I’ve had to make on more than one occasion.
Hopefully you will never be faced with such a decision. Good friends are hard to come by and it’s a shame to loose one. With that said, understand your health takes priority. It must come first. Whether it’s a person, an event, a hobby, job, or some other element that’s bringing unneeded stress into your life, it’s best to remove it. Doing so will help you enjoy a healthier life far from a hospital.
PHYSICAL HEALTH - Find an Outlet
Clearly, the theme of my posts is how to sustain good health in your life. One way or another, your physical health is impacted by nearly everything you experience. It’s natural—as a byproduct of living with Sickle Cell—to feel at times angry, sad, frustrated, or any number of negative emotions. What matters is how you deal with those feelings. Don’t allow those unpleasant thoughts to take control of your life. Finding healthy ways to purge the negativities that often get bottled up inside is an essential part of keeping all four points of your health sound.
When I say “find an outlet,” I mean look for a physical activity you can do that will allow you to release your frustrations and anxieties. My outlet has taken many forms throughout my life. As a teenager I was physically able to do more than I can today. Some of my outlets then included tap and jazz dancing, low intense weight lifting, racquetball, volleyball, and other sports. As I grew older and less able to physically tolerate those kinds of activities, I found other recreations, like playing pool and darts. Riding my bicycle and walking my dog are the current physical activities I’m still able to enjoy.
Occasionally, if I’m feeling good enough, I can still play a game of volleyball now and again. Washing, waxing, and detailing my car—which is both enjoyable and physically tiring—has become an effective stress reliever for me. Often I will walk the mall or stroll through my favorite store just to get some exercise. Doing light yard work is also a useful outlet.
Though these aren’t physical activities, art, journal and poetry writing have been, and still are, the outlets I use most. They are something I can always do no matter how good or bad I may be feeling. They have been my emotional dumping ground. My journal is a place where I can unload what’s inside and instantly feel better. Whatever their form, the outlets I’ve used have significantly increased my ability to cope with my illness; and that is the reason why I have nearly fifty volumes in my journal collection. My journal writing is the reason why I’m still sane; at least, that’s what the voices inside my head tell me.
I strongly encourage you find your own outlet. Perhaps your health is at a place where it will allow you to use sports or other physical activities for this purpose. If so, just be wise and modify your activities, as your health requires. Whatever interests you have, use them as a coping tool to better endure life’s curveballs. Living well with Sickle Cell will become a little bit easier as you do.
When I say “find an outlet,” I mean look for a physical activity you can do that will allow you to release your frustrations and anxieties. My outlet has taken many forms throughout my life. As a teenager I was physically able to do more than I can today. Some of my outlets then included tap and jazz dancing, low intense weight lifting, racquetball, volleyball, and other sports. As I grew older and less able to physically tolerate those kinds of activities, I found other recreations, like playing pool and darts. Riding my bicycle and walking my dog are the current physical activities I’m still able to enjoy.
Occasionally, if I’m feeling good enough, I can still play a game of volleyball now and again. Washing, waxing, and detailing my car—which is both enjoyable and physically tiring—has become an effective stress reliever for me. Often I will walk the mall or stroll through my favorite store just to get some exercise. Doing light yard work is also a useful outlet.
Though these aren’t physical activities, art, journal and poetry writing have been, and still are, the outlets I use most. They are something I can always do no matter how good or bad I may be feeling. They have been my emotional dumping ground. My journal is a place where I can unload what’s inside and instantly feel better. Whatever their form, the outlets I’ve used have significantly increased my ability to cope with my illness; and that is the reason why I have nearly fifty volumes in my journal collection. My journal writing is the reason why I’m still sane; at least, that’s what the voices inside my head tell me.
I strongly encourage you find your own outlet. Perhaps your health is at a place where it will allow you to use sports or other physical activities for this purpose. If so, just be wise and modify your activities, as your health requires. Whatever interests you have, use them as a coping tool to better endure life’s curveballs. Living well with Sickle Cell will become a little bit easier as you do.
SPIRITUAL HEALTH - Develop Your Spirituality
So, what does it mean to be spiritually healthy? Ultimately, the answer to that is something you will have to discover for yourself. I think spiritual health may mean different things to different people. For some people it may mean being at peace with who you are; it may include feeling connected to something that is spiritually greater than yourself. For others it may mean having a clear vision of their purpose in life.
For me, being spiritually healthy means living by my religious convictions, and being happy while doing so. It means having a peaceful mind and an inner harmony. My spiritual health is inseparably connected with my relationship with God and feeling my actions are in harmony with His will. It also means living in such a way so I feel God’s presence in my life and His approval of how I’m living it.
I believe hope is as much a necessity of life as water is. Hope is the light that shines brightly within no matter how much darkness may surround us without. Maintaining hope and strengthening your spiritual health while living with a chronic illness can be a difficult challenge. So the question is, how do you do keep yourself spiritually fit and keep hope alive within yourself? All I can do is tell you how I have done it and how I believe you can do the same.
The brightest, most powerful source of hope that has seen me through the darkest of times in my life has been my religious beliefs. My faith in God and my spiritual well-being are what sustain me. I’ll do my best to not get too preachy on you.
Though active and very devoted to my faith, I encourage religious activity, regardless of the name on the building, to everybody, especially to people who have serious health problems. I say this for many reasons.
First, church can provide you with a support network; a group of people who sincerely love and care for you. A people united by faith are a people united by love. With that love comes a wealth of emotional and spiritual strength. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people who are happy, optimistic, and spiritual...it’s a priceless tool when living with a chronic illness. In my life, this has not just been a tool, but a power tool.
Second, the teachings of ones faith can be like a water well from which you can draw an endless supply of hope. Knowing a Higher Power is involved in your life will help you to not feel as alone or discouraged about your circumstance. Believing there is a loving Creator helping you through your struggles enables you to better endure them. I believe there is purpose in everything that happens in life. The teachings I’ve accepted as truth about the purpose of life on earth, why we are here, and what happens to us after we die are what have kept me from becoming an angry bitter person. These, and many other things connected with my faith, give me the strength to make it through each day. Often it’s what gives me the strength to make it through hour by hour and moment by moment.
The third reason I encourage you to find a religion that works for you has to do with depression. I’ll talk more about depression in the next section, but as it pertains to religion, here are some facts to consider.
Studies have shown that people who have a chronic illness are 15%-20% more likely to suffer from depression than the average person. However, those who use their religious beliefs to help cope with their illness are much less affected by depression. Studies have also shown the more serious one’s illness, the greater benefit their faith is in coping with their illness. This has certainly has been true for me. Depression has raised its ugly head many times in my life. I feel those times of darkness would have been greater in number without my religious views. I also believe I would not have survived some of those bouts with depression without my faith.
Finally, going to church can be good for your social needs as well as your spiritual. At church you may find people your same age, with similar interests and moral standards. This opens doors for developing lasting and meaningful relationships. Nearly every relationship that has had meaning in my life came directly from my church activity. Each of those friendships touched me in ways that made me a better man.
Just to echo what I’ve said before, remember your emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health are all linked together. In order to remain physically healthy you have to care for each of those four points. Finding a source from which you can draw spiritual strength will be a blessing to you every minute of your life. Spirituality will give you the strength to persevere when it seems like everything else is crashing down around you. God does exist my friend. He loves you. He is there for you. Draw from the power that comes with that knowledge.
If you don’t go to church, talk with your family about it. Maybe finding a place to worship is something you can do together. If that isn’t possible, ask your friends if they go to church and see if you can go with them. If you and your family find a certain faith doesn’t fit your wants or needs, don’t give up. There are plenty of churches to try. Whichever faith you choose make sure it’s a positive and uplifting influence in your life.
If you feel religion isn’t for you, perhaps you’re able to find spirituality in some other form I haven’t mentioned. Whatever works for you, I encourage you to seek a source that can nourish your spiritual needs. These are the ingredients that have worked for me in my quest for a chocolate chip cookie life. It’s up to you to learn for yourself if these ingredients can do the same for you.
For me, being spiritually healthy means living by my religious convictions, and being happy while doing so. It means having a peaceful mind and an inner harmony. My spiritual health is inseparably connected with my relationship with God and feeling my actions are in harmony with His will. It also means living in such a way so I feel God’s presence in my life and His approval of how I’m living it.
I believe hope is as much a necessity of life as water is. Hope is the light that shines brightly within no matter how much darkness may surround us without. Maintaining hope and strengthening your spiritual health while living with a chronic illness can be a difficult challenge. So the question is, how do you do keep yourself spiritually fit and keep hope alive within yourself? All I can do is tell you how I have done it and how I believe you can do the same.
The brightest, most powerful source of hope that has seen me through the darkest of times in my life has been my religious beliefs. My faith in God and my spiritual well-being are what sustain me. I’ll do my best to not get too preachy on you.
Though active and very devoted to my faith, I encourage religious activity, regardless of the name on the building, to everybody, especially to people who have serious health problems. I say this for many reasons.
First, church can provide you with a support network; a group of people who sincerely love and care for you. A people united by faith are a people united by love. With that love comes a wealth of emotional and spiritual strength. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people who are happy, optimistic, and spiritual...it’s a priceless tool when living with a chronic illness. In my life, this has not just been a tool, but a power tool.
Second, the teachings of ones faith can be like a water well from which you can draw an endless supply of hope. Knowing a Higher Power is involved in your life will help you to not feel as alone or discouraged about your circumstance. Believing there is a loving Creator helping you through your struggles enables you to better endure them. I believe there is purpose in everything that happens in life. The teachings I’ve accepted as truth about the purpose of life on earth, why we are here, and what happens to us after we die are what have kept me from becoming an angry bitter person. These, and many other things connected with my faith, give me the strength to make it through each day. Often it’s what gives me the strength to make it through hour by hour and moment by moment.
The third reason I encourage you to find a religion that works for you has to do with depression. I’ll talk more about depression in the next section, but as it pertains to religion, here are some facts to consider.
Studies have shown that people who have a chronic illness are 15%-20% more likely to suffer from depression than the average person. However, those who use their religious beliefs to help cope with their illness are much less affected by depression. Studies have also shown the more serious one’s illness, the greater benefit their faith is in coping with their illness. This has certainly has been true for me. Depression has raised its ugly head many times in my life. I feel those times of darkness would have been greater in number without my religious views. I also believe I would not have survived some of those bouts with depression without my faith.
Finally, going to church can be good for your social needs as well as your spiritual. At church you may find people your same age, with similar interests and moral standards. This opens doors for developing lasting and meaningful relationships. Nearly every relationship that has had meaning in my life came directly from my church activity. Each of those friendships touched me in ways that made me a better man.
Just to echo what I’ve said before, remember your emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health are all linked together. In order to remain physically healthy you have to care for each of those four points. Finding a source from which you can draw spiritual strength will be a blessing to you every minute of your life. Spirituality will give you the strength to persevere when it seems like everything else is crashing down around you. God does exist my friend. He loves you. He is there for you. Draw from the power that comes with that knowledge.
If you don’t go to church, talk with your family about it. Maybe finding a place to worship is something you can do together. If that isn’t possible, ask your friends if they go to church and see if you can go with them. If you and your family find a certain faith doesn’t fit your wants or needs, don’t give up. There are plenty of churches to try. Whichever faith you choose make sure it’s a positive and uplifting influence in your life.
If you feel religion isn’t for you, perhaps you’re able to find spirituality in some other form I haven’t mentioned. Whatever works for you, I encourage you to seek a source that can nourish your spiritual needs. These are the ingredients that have worked for me in my quest for a chocolate chip cookie life. It’s up to you to learn for yourself if these ingredients can do the same for you.
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