Healthy Perspectives: Thought & Health

Have you ever felt trapped in a conversation about someone’s illness, wishing you could somehow rewind the scene then steer clear of the topic completely? In the background, the silent voice of compassion says, “Try to help.” And, the quiet voice of reason says, “Don’t listen to another word. This is not helpful to anyone.”

Recently, a friend shared such an experience which caused me to again consider this all too common dilemma. Wouldn’t it be nice, if conversations more frequently included stories about good health rather than illness?

Television, radio, billboards and the internet are splattered with topics that often end up in our conversations. Considering the constant exposure, it’s easy to understand why we find ourselves thinking daily about illness, prescriptions and treatment plans. After all, isn’t that the point of advertising? But, what is the impact on our health?

Many researchers in the medical community now understand the relationship between thought and well being, and would like to see a sea-change in public discourse that would better support general health. Books such as Selling Sickness by Alan Cassels and Saving Normal by Allen Frances, MD are documenting a profound professional concern that the general public is being led to think of sickness as normal. Frances, however, still holds out “hope that common sense will prevail” and that, “People and policy makers may eventually wake up to the fact that we are not a bunch of sick individuals,…”

Some time ago the words of nineteenth century author and researcher, Mary Baker Eddy, caught my attention on this topic when I read, “Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously.”

Looking back on my own experience, I see that I have reaped a consistent healthy benefit from limiting the amount of thought and conversation I give to potential illness. When I feel an illness coming on, my first reaction is to spend some quiet time listening for divine inspiration or listening to the angels as I like to think of it. To me, this is also a form of prayer which yields a sense of peace and safety in God as the Bible says in Psalms, “he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” It helps me remember that health is my normal state of being because He “keeps” me no matter the symptoms or circumstances.

Several years ago I had a unique opportunity to employ this idea to the aid of a dear relative. Being listed as the primary contact for an aunt, I was summoned one day to a hospital emergency room as her family support. When I arrived, I found her restless, fearful, and in pain and I was unable to engage her attention. Lots of people were crying out around us and I noticed that she would also cry out when others did; each time becoming more agitated. Hoping to turn her thought away from the negative images surrounding us, I first quietly listened for inspiration and then leaned over and started whispering in her ear. Since we share a religious conviction, I started by reminding her that God loved her and that she was safe, valued and being well cared for. I kept my comments to this spiritual line of reasoning and in support of a safe and positive experience. In just a minute or two, she relaxed and became peaceful. And, this is how she remained for the duration of her hospital stay.

If by limiting discussions of illness and listening for divine inspiration before we speak we can witness calm in a moment of distress, then just imagine the potential outcome from a daily dose of this kind of protective thought and action.

Debby Kowit blogs on the link between spirituality and wellness and the positive impact of healthy thinking on our lives. She is the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Pennsylvania. You can follow her on Twitter @PAComPub
Accompanying photo © GLOW IMAGES