4 of 23

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

See a funny movie, go to live comedy shows, learn a few jokes. While it may not sound like much, the endorphins released during laughter help heal your body and your state of mind. Making a point of adding humor and happiness to your life reminds you that you deserve to be well and happy, giving you more strength to fight your illness.

Family and friends are a valuable resource for maintaining a positive attitude while dealing with chronic illness. By allowing them to care for you, you are getting the rest and support you need. You will be reminded that you are worthwhile and loved and valued. Those feelings will help boost your mood, your health and your recovery rate. We are not the wild animals who are compelled to crawl under a rock and die in secret. We are a social animal that needs human touch, human contact and human conversation. Infants provided with adequate warmth, food and hydration will die if not picked up and handled by other people. As adults facing chronic illness, we need that contact more than ever.

With a positive attitude and a caring environment, our next responsibility to ourselves is to stay fit as much as we can. Being healthy in every other way helps our minds and our bodies fight our illness and maintain some semblance of wellness. Good food, plenty of water and appropriate exercise all help boost our immune system, our attitude and our ability to handle the stress of chronic illness. By allowing stress and depression to take over, we are compounding our problems and reducing our chance at recovery.

Educating yourself about your illness is arming yourself with valuable tools. Not only will you better understand what to expect, but you will also make yourself a leader in your own treatment. Knowing what your symptoms are, why they are happening and what you can do about them gives you the power you need to pull yourself through the hard times. Knowledge also helps you evaluate your care takers, your own response to your illness and what your real limitations are.

A positive attitude is crucial when dealing with chronic illness. Your attitude can empower you or destroy you. A negative attitude robs you of your physical and emotional strength. A positive attitude motivates you to face your illness as a manageable, beatable condition. Your positive attitude is the most powerful weapon in your arsenal against illness.

Learn more about this author, Kate Johnson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Does a positive attitude help when your chronic illness becomes worse?
We want to hear your view. Write now!