We continually see people in our practice with a host of different psychological and physical challenges who make amazing full recoveries when they have previously been told ‘once a certain way, always a certain way’ by other health care practitioners.
However, as practitioners of mind/body medicine this attitude leaves us bemused and our clients even worse off. However, the great news is that through an understanding of the mind/body connection along with the right support and action to go with it, there is so much that can always be positively achieved and focussed on…
“So what’s our physical health got to do with the way we think?”
Well the answer to that is everything! And it’s in no way exclusive to only certain conditions, dis-ease, or ailments.
Every single thought and emotion we have, affects every single cell in our body – That’s the mind and body connection. This is because the neurotransmitters that carry our thoughts, also bathe every single cell in the body thus we are effectively sending messages and talking to our bodies constantly, and without even realising it much of the time.
A familiar example of this is when a person might be stressed or angry and people consciously say to them ‘calm down or you’ll make yourself ill’ – well that’s actually true – it’s a classic example of the mind/ body connection, just as a doctor might enquire if you’ve been stressed if you have high blood pressure or are ‘run down’ if you have cold.
This piece of information is massively exciting and we would go as far as to say it’s one of the most powerful pieces of knowledge ever known to man (if it’s properly understood and acted upon).
This is because the way we think, the pictures, sounds and feelings we hold in our minds are reflected throughout our entire body and therefore directly affect our physical health.
A very small example of how the way we think affects our emotions and physical state is to try thinking of something sad whilst physically smilingand feeling good… it’s pretty challenging and that’s exactly the same principle with our health.
On the whole, if we think negative, we’ll feel negative emotions and then display or manifest them physically by either looking flat, crying, displaying negative emotion, and eventually, express this physically as ill health.
At some point you’ll have experienced this, such as when you may have been really nervous about something. It will have likely begun by you thinking about the situation in a worried or panicky way, thinking about all the negative ‘what if’s’, then consequently you would begin to feel worried, nervous, and anxious which would then cause you to behave differently (like forgetting your words, having mental blocks, saying something unintended, hiding or avoiding people etc.) and this would then begin to affect you physically, possibly displaying as nausea, shaking, sweating, headaches, shivers, butterflies, crying etc. and then you’d be thinking about feeling ill and the negative spiral would continue until eventually you had a positive distraction to break the cycle.
On that note, all health – good or bad, originates in some form from our thought patterns and emotions thus affecting how we physically manifest these. Quite literally our physical health reflects our thought process (from some point).
When too many of these thoughts or memories are negative, we then begin the escalation of various ailments or conditions. Naturally this is unintended because no one would consciously give themselves anything other than excellent health. However, the good news is that the more we are aware of this, the more we can do about it.
Personally I can give testament to this as I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for over 22 years and from the work I have done myself, I’ve seen truly phenomenal results. We’ve also experienced this with many patients too across a broad spectrum of conditions and challenges.
The real key to all health begins with an awareness of the root emotional cause (the meta physical root) that has physically manifested either physically or psychologically.
Therefore, finding this awareness and engaging in various methods to let it go and re-program the cells in the body; can make all the difference when it comes to health and self-healing from deep within – which of course is what makes the real positive change, hence why we all respond to illness and the relevant treatments differently.
When studying the core scientific principles of mind/body medicine it soon becomes apparent that our outer health and behaviour is only a metaphorical reflection of our inner thought patterns; irrespective of whether we choose to acknowledge this or not – that generally takes balls and honesty with ourselves.
In this respect, when talking about something being ‘incurable’ or ‘inevitable’ – all this really means is that a particular condition can’t be treated/cured by outer medical means and we must therefore look deep within ourselves to do this from the inside. In this respect, if we are willing to change the way we think, believe and act; we can make deep positive change, therefore making the possibilities for full recovery, health and well-being truly infinite.
On that note, if you wish you can read about some truly amazing case studies documented in Mind Body Diabetes, Chapter 7.
Over the years we’ve helped so many people completely overcome some of the most severe and sinister cases of depression, even when unbelievably they’ve been told “once depressed, you’ll always have depression”… mmm as someone having lived and worked with diabetes for a long time, I can’t possibly think why that has a familiar ring to it!
Nevertheless, whatever you may have been told about YOUR OWN condition the upshot is that there really is no need to ever suffer continuously! This is because there is so much that can be done to overcome this debilitating, horrific and lonely state, that we refer to as depression.
As a clinical practice we hate it when we hear from our clients that when they’ve previously attended ‘Depression Recovery Groups’, they’ve been told “Although you’ll always have depression we’re going to teach you how to manage it”… well how bloody depressing in itself to actually be told that! We’ve seen individuals mortified by this statement and even worse, nearly accept it; However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
So the great news is, if you’re serious about ditching depression for good – you can! and here are some top fundamental pointers to do just that, also check out our other blogs on stress, depression and tips to safely avoid and get off anti-depressant medication;
Target the Root Cause
Even if we have to keep digging and asking ourselves ‘why or for what purpose’, it’s critical to get to the very core reason and root of cause of depression – and this could be something superficial to begin with, yet pertain to something years back that is either obvious to you, or even currently unconscious to you.
So get the right help and support for you, and find someone who can effectively assist in helping you to resolve and let go of this root cause and subsequent triggers, once and for all. Make that decision and commit to positive change for yourself, and believe you deserve to be happy as there are so many ways to successfully help.
As individuals, once we make a decision to take action, although change can often be a daunting and tough prospect; it will free us forever and allow us to positively move on.
It will also help to clarify many things personally and understand ourselves in a way that perhaps we never realised. It will then be a case of supporting this with day to day coping mechanisms that will help to readjust in ditching depression for good.
Create a Purpose and Make That Decision
We all need a purpose in life because this is our motivation as to why we keep going. If we decide or realise what our purpose is in life, or think about it carefully and create one that ignites a personal spark; this will dramatically help in creating direction and focus to kick depression.
What we believe we become, so it’s really important to get a good understanding of ourselves and what it is that really makes us personally tick. Make that decision to take personal responsibility for your life and that you deserve to be free, happy, and get what you want in life.
Focus On What You Want Rather Than What You Don’t Want
Focus on all that you DO want and the things you CAN DO. Wherever focus and attention goes, energy follows, and you naturally attract more of it. On that note, if we focus on the negatives in life and all that is wrong, energy will flow in this direction and attract even more negativity because what we focus on, we get – in the case of depression, a very negative spiral!
It can sound so simple to think this way, but it is the way and workings of the universe; in effect, we live in a ‘yes universe’ in accordance with our thoughts and deep belief system. The more we focus on what we DO WANT and what we CAN DO, the more we’ll experience the results we want; so let the negative energy go! Whatever we ask for and give our full focus to, the universe says ‘yes’ – so keep this in mind as to where your general focus is. For example – rather than focussing on ‘treating or tackling depression’ as your focus would still primarily be on ‘depression’, Focus on getting well, being healthy, happy, and fulfilled.
Remember, emotions just transpire as energy… so negative emotion is just exhausting negative energy; However, we can change this by changing our focus and taking action.
Have an Outcome
Whenever any of us are working toward a goal of any sort, we need an ‘evidence procedure’ to know we’ve achieved it successfully. So how will you know when you’ve fully ditched depression once and for all? How will life be for you then? How will you know it’s not time to be depressed anymore?
If you imagine this so clearly, using all your senses and make this your focus … energy will flow toward this and you’ll naturally begin to move toward it and successfully achieve it!
Create the Right Environment and Network to Succeed
Our surroundings are so important in terms of who and what our influences are, what we perceive, and who we consequently become.
For example, if we are constantly around people of a low mood, negative energy or people who are of a pessimistic nature, we soon become the same or feel even further depressed. If instead we are around upbeat, positive, supportive, funny and encouraging people who are free of personal limitations, we will naturally feel inspired and encouraged, and this will inevitably rub off on us.
In terms of our environment, we can make this positive too by making it bright and fresh, clean and tidy, pleasant smells and uplifting or relaxing music, as well as being a comfortable and safe place to spend the majority of our time.
This is important because our environment also reflects how we feel. I know personally, when I’m at work – I like to begin with everything tidy and ordered to help keep a tidy mind (although that’s not to say it doesn’t gradually get busy with papers and mugs etc.), but a bright, fresh, tidy room is certainly a bright, free thinking, and tidy mind as far as I’m concerned.
Pleasant scents can also act as a good calming tool and even trigger certain good feelings too. Depending on our associated memories with certain scents, we can positively utilise this. For example, lavender incense can be particularly calming and might remind us of a nice garden or past memory etc., similarly cinnamon or spiced apple is often associated with Christmas and can therefore generate particular positive feelings too, or vanilla can be a sweet pleasant smell.
Either way, all such changes to our environment and those who we share it with make a dramatic impact on our psychological state. Such changes can help in lifting our mood and feeling more inspired to continue making even greater changes.
Generate Natural Endorphins (happy chemicals)
The more natural ways we can do this, the better any of us will feel, particularly because depression occurs and certainly worsens when these hormones are in short supply. Naturally boasting endorphin levels will help to feel more inspired and in turn our emotional and physical health will greatly benefit.
One of the most obvious ways to increase endorphins is to exercise, however when depressed, that’s not always as easy as it sounds.
On that note, just taking a short walk in the fresh air to go and buy a paper or a coffee etc. can help and it’s something to build on.
Just saying ‘hello’ to someone in passing can create a feel good factor, just as smiling and standing up straight, head and shoulders back can make us feel better (even if we don’t yet feel it inside, our physical state eventually affects our internal state and visa versa) – never underestimate how simply practising to do, or be something, can aid in feeling better – because what we practice, we become.
Also, although it sounds simple, taking a bath or shower and fully immersing ourselves in water can significantly help in aiding a feel good factor. This is because it assists in re-starting the emotional part of the brain via a temperature change, so a good shower or bath to freshen up mentally and physically is of great benefit.
In addition to this, if you dress to impress too, it all adds toward feeling better and aids in a progression in wanting to make other core changes. Taking small and simple steps begin to make a big difference.
Back to stimulating endorphins… this can be anything that we enjoy that’s a bit more physical or something that makes us laugh.
Watching comedy programs or comedian DVD’s can be a good start as well as talking and interacting with others – even if it’s only in a very small way at first. Even if we engage with others on-line, such as positive and relevant people on social media or websites, this can help to re-direct focus, and provide another interest… and who knows where that might lead.
In a nutshell, we’re not designed to be alone, so any interaction can really help in feeling better. However, the same rules apply about this being in a positive context and environment – some on-line groups can be quite negative (esp. some health related ones… remembering what I said about where focus goes!), so if that’s the case, ditch ‘em quick and find what makes you feel good and positive about yourself!
Finally, in taking any of these steps, it’s important to reward ourselves and give ourselves plenty to look forward to because we all need a reason for doing something. Rewarding ourselves accordingly to act as motivation is important if this works for you (well that’s my excuse for a treat anyway ;-)).
Remember, life is for living and you’re just as entitled to do this as the next person, and more importantly, YOU CAN! Make that decision to positively change and get the right help and support to go for it. Life’s a gift and it’s generally up to us to get the most value out of it.
It might not always feel like it and it might not always be the most appealing one to begin with; but we do have a choice in how we respond to situations, the learning’s we choose to take and the meanings we attach to certain events; so choose positive change and know you can ditch depression for good!
Wishing you all the best in going forward.
First and foremost, if anyone intends to stop taking anti-depressant medication, be these standard anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, sedatives or minor tranquilisers please first read the following;
Immediately inform your doctor of your intentions and outcome so they can safely assist you in planning a safe and gradual reduction.
It’s exceptionally important to NEVER JUST STOP TAKING ALL YOUR MEDICATION AT ONCE, and without the relevant professional support.
This could cause serious shock to your system, just as taking too much medication can have severe side-effects when you no longer need it when you have reached full psychological well-being by yourself. The key here is therefore balance and gradual, appropriate, safe reduction. A helpful and pro-active GP will be more than happy to assist and support you in planning this.
Now that’s made clear, here are some important tips to help you in taking the steps to get yourself off anti-depressants;
Know your outcome, do you want to just reduce your medication or do you intend to come off them once and for all.
In what (realistic) time frame would you like to achieve this and for what purpose – why do you want to come off them?… make sure your motivation is a strong enough reason to keep you focussed in the right direction and being pro-active!
Do this for positive reasons like wanting a good, healthy and fulfilled life rather than because you don’t want (x, y and z negative reasons – such as the side-effects/trips to the doctors etc.).
Having a positive reason and motivation will make it so much easier and quicker for you to achieve your goal, simply because ‘what you focus on… you attract!’ … So the more positive reasons you have to focus on, the better the results!
Be prepared to push through your comfort zone and tackle the root cause once and for all.
Confronting the root cause of depression and releasing it may seem really challenging, but once you’ve made this decision, it will be one of the best things you’ve ever done, giving you an amazing sense of empowerment. You’ve probably already guessed it will take honesty with yourself, commitment and courage, however the sense of achievement and freedom you will feel will more than exceed this and you’ll begin to get the life you want.
Be surrounded by the right people!
This is so important because all too often the people we are around, we become. You’ll need a strong, supportive net-work around you; people who will encourage you and help motivate you in the right way.
Positive and energetic people will help to create a sense of well-being and positivity around you that will help to inspire you rather than create a negative pull. So many people we have seen have fallen into the ‘negative social circle’ trap and unfortunately, such negativity breeds – this is no good if you are working hard to change things!
It’s also important to work with the right professionals too. These need to be practitioners you can get on well with, relate to and above all, trust; they need a positive, supportive and encouraging mind-set in order to project this onto you.
Always remember, Just because someone is a qualified professional, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right one for you. Or automatically good at what they do, and if that’s the case, they won’t assist you in getting the best outcome possible.
Make sure you talk to various professionals first, see them, visit them or read about their credentials, profile, and what they offer, look carefully at what others have to say about them and work out what feels best for you so you are most comfortable to get the best support you need.
Take Action!
There are plenty of good people out there who can really help you to let go of depression so that you never need suffer again. You can be free of all limitations and the things that hold you back in life, so let go of any excuses and work out how you can make this happen.
It can often be easy to look for reasons as to why certain things have happened in our lives, and blame others; however, the minute we STOP thinking in such a way and ask ourselves ‘what can we do about it?, what action can we take as individuals in order to cause a reaction? Things will start to rapidly and positively change.
Begin looking at what you want and look at what you could have done differently, or can learn from in going forward?
Decide now… choose to take control of your own life and make the most of it, refuse to be affected or dictated to by others because of their own limitations! Once you acknowledge personal responsibility for your life, you will instantly become empowered because it means you have recognised that you can take action and do something about it.
Create and plan lots of positive distractions and focus in your life.
The more you have plenty of other positive things to focus on, the time in reducing your medication will seem to pass very quickly and it will be a far easier process. We all need positive head space and distractions enabling us to best focus on getting exactly what we want, so here are a few ideas that may also help;
- Exercise – but make it fun and something you like
It could be anything from sex to zumba or outdoor pursuits to doing the house work to music – anything that’s active will do because it will create natural endorphins (happy chemicals) that will make you feel good (without any added side-effects!).
- Find more ways to socialise
Make sure this is with good family or friends that will act as a positive influence. Make positive changes to hang around with funny, light hearted people that will help to make you laugh as this again will help to create a great feel good factor and laughing will again generate lots of endorphins too. A positive circle will always eventually rub off on you and act as a good support.
Watch comedy programs, DVD’s, live shows, listen to funny people and avoid unnecessary serious programmes, negative media or groups/forums, or constant current affairs (the news).
If you don’t already have one, particularly cats and dogs can act as great companions, and are pretty amusing most of the time too. They provide a lot of love, distraction (good and otherwise) and stroking them has long been reported to help reduce stress. They can also help to ease loneliness.
- Do something you really enjoy every day
Again this could be anything from having a sweet treat to watching a film, going to your local coffee or tea shop or playing a particular game etc. Either way, think about the things you enjoy and give yourself a little something to look forward to every day, no matter how small it is.
- Reward Yourself for Positive Results and Mile Stones
Find a great way to reward yourself each time you reach another marker toward your final goal of coming off your medication.
Make sure this is something you really like, something that is quite a big deal within your means. For example, if you can, arrange to go away somewhere for a nice weekend or a fun day trip, a day at a spa, the coast, a season football ticket or match day, a day at the races etc. Either way, make it worth working for and save accordingly (a little a day can go a long way). This way it will help to keep that positive focus and motivation going.
Learn some effective Stress management/ release techniques
Do this preferably before beginning this process of reduction. This way it will assist you so you’re prepared to cope with what general life has to offer, without the need for relaying on medication.
Avoiding or confronting the root cause of what stresses you out is even better but in any case you’d be best to avoid any unnecessary panic over the withdrawal of anti-depressants, so being prepared will hold you in great stead.
There are many good stress reduction and release techniques that a good hypnotherapist, NLP coach, therapist or such like practitioner will be able to share with you so you can be extra prepared and get off to an easy and successful start!
Overall, remember to focus on the things YOU CAN DO and the things YOU DO HAVE in your life.
Give yourself positive internal dialogue – give yourself a break and tell yourself that you can do this.
Remember to keep in mind your personal reason for doing something and let that be your motivation – have a strong, detailed and clear picture of this in your mind! Keep visualising the end result, what has to happen in order for you to know you have achieved your goal successfully? – will you have enjoyed a day at work completely medication free? or will you be travelling on holiday without any pills? What is your personal indicator to convince you that you’ve finally done it and have completely stopped the need for any medication?
Keep this in mind and it will always keep you focussed in the right direction!
There is so much you can do to have a great, happy, healthy and fulfilled life so please never suffer and know that help is there if you want to do something about it.
Whichever way you choose to go forward, all the best and well wishes ahead.
There are so many reasons as to why we can all experience a lack of confidence from time to time, be this from having a new baby, serious illness, a traumatic past event, financial challenges, or relationship break up’s to unemployment bouts, and bullying. However, whatever the reason a lack of confidence can prove so limiting as to the life we lead and the things we could otherwise achieve.
When we speak of confidence we’re not just talking about looking confident or being the loudest, most extroverted person in the room; because actually that kind of character isn’t necessarily that confident at all – it can often be a front.
Although we do want to look confident and project this to the outside world, it all starts from internal confidence, our deep rooted belief system.
If we’re then confident on the inside the rest will follow, providing us with the unstoppable ability to make real decisions and choices that we’d ultimately prefer; choices that are completely free of limitation and allow us to really go full throttle for everything we want!
So here are Ten practical tips in how to help achieve this, stating from NOW…
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What we believe, we become!
On that note it’s important to begin questioning any limiting feelings you have about yourself and begin to focus on all the attributes YOU DO have and CAN OFFER, along with the things YOU DO enjoy; especially in light of any circumstances that may have knocked your confidence in the first place.
Everything (no matter how good or bad it may seem at the time) happens for a reason, usually to give us a realisation or lesson about something, so make sure you focus on the new skills and resources you have learnt from past events. If it helps, make a list of all the great attributes about yourself and the unique skills you have… seeing these in black and white or even reading them aloud or getting someone else to read them to you (or even get a person you trust to write down the attributes they think you have) – can really help you to realise and believe this, because after all, what you believe, you actualise and become.
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Focus on what you deem to be confident (in a positive way) and the type of people who are positively confident (NOT putting on a front!) rather than what you feel you are not.
Whatever you give your focus, energy and attention to, you attract more of back to you (the scientific law of attraction). Therefore, if you focus on not being confident and feeling vulnerable, unfortunately you will be. Instead, direct your attention to who you want to be – what would make you confident? Or focus on others you feel are genuinely confident, watch their characteristics and model (positively imitate) what they do – In a positive way pretend to be that character with the addition of your own great individualism.
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Have an awareness of the root behind your lack of confidence & address this.
If you are aware of this you can make pro-active changes to make a positive difference. For instance, if you are surrounded by an individual or an organisation that results in you feeling a lack of confidence, make changes to take yourself out of the situation. Or perhaps if you uncounted bullying when you were younger, or had an aggressive/moody/overpowering/demanding teacher/parent – explore this and discuss it with a professional even to ensure you release any root cause issues that need releasing and reframing.
Our daily environment is important because who you are around, you also become because the energy rubs off as it projects onto you. Just as if you are in an isolated situation, you’ll soon feel and become isolated, potentially leading to a lack of confidence; so make small changes to reverse any such situation. This will then help to release the reason for exacerbating a lack of confidence – there’s always something you can positively do to be proactive!
If you are still struggling with the root cause behind a lack of confidence, get a good therapist to assist you in letting this go – it will change your life so much (even if a little daunting at first, you’ll be surprised how gentle, relaxed, well intentioned, and fun we are 
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Practise Visualisation
If you visualise something with enough detail and clarity so it is really specific – as real life as you can get it using all your five senses, the part of your mind that runs your entire body on auto pilot doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is not real. This is a huge piece of knowledge because it means that you can program into your mind exactly how you want to be.
So imagine a really confident person… this may be someone you know, a celebrity you admire, or even yourself when you were at your most confident.
Either way, get a picture of this image in your mind and ensure it is clear, bright and precise. Now imagine stepping into this picture and allow yourself to be consumed by the confidence – really feel it consume you – perhaps you may depict this as a positive warm yellow/golden glow encasing your entire body. Now see an even more confident person in front of you and step into that person, again becoming consumed in all this confidence and really absorb it. -use all your senses… sight, sound, smell, feeling, taste … make this as vivid and real as you can!
Do this process four to five times until you feel an internal shift. Then keep practising this and being that confident person.
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Question yourself to deduce the situation in order to think differently and see that there’s little point in letting a lack of confidence limit you…
- What HAS to happen for you to feel more confident and let your inhibitions go?
- What would happen if you were more confident? And what would happen if you weren’t? So what is really stopping you?
- What’s really preventing you from being more confident?
- What can you do/need to do now, to change these things?
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Hold a Physiology of Excellence
The mind and body are inextricably linked. If you try thinking of something really sad whilst attempting to smile, it’s near on impossible to do because our thoughts affect our feelings which ultimately affect the way we look and how we behave. On that note, all of the above should help with keeping more positive and confident thoughts, but we can also help this by the way we hold ourselves too…
Hold your head upright, smile, put your shoulders back, and take some deep breathes in through your nose and out through your mouth to positively oxygenate and energise your body.
It can also help to put yourself into a pleasant relaxed state when you do this too. This state prevents the feelings of any negative emotion. Basically, pick a spot on the wall above eye level to focus on. Whilst remaining focussed on the spot, begin to expand your vision to 180 degrees either side of you and notice what is in your peripheral vision at the same time (whilst still focussed on the spot above eye level too). Now bring your eyes back down to eye level and carry on about your business in a relaxed manner.
It can also help with confidence to dress smarter, do your hair. and pay yourself some external TLC. Sometimes the simplest changes can help to make a big difference – if you feel you look great, you will naturally feel and act more confident. Do you need to address your weight and overall health as all these are factors that can affect confidence; either way take positive actions to make sure you look and feel as good as possible!
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If others have a problem, it’s often actually with them (a projection of what they feel about themselves) – so focus on yourself and being the person you want to be – reject other people’s insecurities.
For example, if a person tried to knock your confidence by laughing at what you are wearing, it’s highly likely that they themselves would not have the confidence to wear that particular item (or be able to pull it off) or that they may be envious and want to be able to wear what you are wearing, but for whatever they can’t so they ‘try’ to pull you down. Alternatively, it could be that they don’t actually have the deep inner confidence to have their own individual style – I think you can probably begin to spot the pattern here!
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No one is indestructible or any better than anyone else – they are often just more experienced at something or had different opportunities in life.
If you cut us we all bleed, just as we all pee, poo, and pro-create… AND what one person can do, so can another. On that note there’s no point in ever feeling intimidated by certain people, which can often be all too easy, so be yourself and appreciate who you are. It’s an old one but it can help… Worse case imagine people without their clothes on, or the fact they get nervous too, get ill too, go to the toilet etc… you get the point – really we’re all very similar so there really is no point in regarding anyone as being particularly superior to you! We’re all just human at the end of the day.
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Avoid comparing yourself to others.
Set your own standards for you. Do what’s right for you and always appreciate, enjoy, and embrace it; we’re all unique and brilliant in our own way – it’s what makes the world so interesting!
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Remember a time when you were at your height of confidence and use this as a resource.
Remember that time – really see what you saw, hear what you heard, and feel the feelings of exuberating confidence… use all your senses to associate back into this memory.
Then at the height of those great feelings of confidence, clasp you thumb and index finger together. Then as the feelings begin to disappear unclasp your fingers.
Now in the future when you need a confidence boost you can snap your thumb and index finger together in the same way to trigger and stimulate those same feelings of confidence as your neurology and body connect this together.
Although there are many other things we could talk about, if you apply most of the above, you’ll experience a shift in your confidence; but also keep practicing these because if you practice something enough, you also become it!
The only person every stopping any of us, is ourselves. So you can be more confident, learn to value yourself and make those positive changes to live the life you really want and go for it at any time you choose!
When it comes to veganism (a diet and/or lifestyle not eating or using products derived from animals whatsoever) there tends to be a lot of mixed opinion. This usually ranges from people having convinced themselves that a purely vegan diet will cause them to miss out on vital nutrients or that veganism consists of a boring, dull, tasteless diet. Conversely there’s a growing number of people enjoying a super healthy, tasty, enjoyable, and ethical regime who are benefiting from some amazing powerful healing benefits.
In the end, it’s really quite simple – any diet is capable of being boring and missing out on vital nutrients – especially when it comes to a western diet of so many convenience foods. However, with balance and creativity there’s no reason for this to ever be the case when it comes to eating vegan. Plus, from a psychological perspective most negativity surrounding this regime tends to be born out of mis-understanding the diet, a lack of imagination, or some personal justification to eat meat.
Personally I’ve eaten vegetarian for a long time, and as I’ve progressed with varied diabetes research to seriously improve and reverse the condition, I have spent the last few months eating a vegan diet and exploring how this can also fit with a lower carb regime – the latter reason being something that had always deterred me in the past from going completely vegan. However, in the name of research and belief that anything is possible if you want it enough; I made the decision and have never looked back!
Moreover, I have also found how adopting a vegan lifestyle has so many overall benefits in helping to prevent and heal many conditions from colds and allergies to diabetes and cancer – the benefits are amazing. Amidst the inevitable tendency to eat a lot fresher, natural, nutrient dense foods, you can check out the more detailed reasons for this on the ‘Super Dietary Acceleration Plan’ page.
In this blog however, I’d just like to share with you the healing power of adopting a vegan diet.
On a personal note veganism has significantly contributed to a great progression in my personal research in exploring and working toward reversing T1 diabetes. In addition, we already know that by adopting a vegan regime, T2 diabetes can be and indeed has been reversed! So what are you waiting for?…
Veganism is also known to have a positive and powerful impact on;
- Diabetes Complications
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Weight loss
- Heart conditions
- Colds
- Asthma
- IBS
- Minor ailments and irritations to many other chronic conditions
The following are amazing success cases when it comes to health and healing through adopting a vegan diet, found courtesy of the great guy’s at www.gentleworld.org .
Please also remember that in order to adopt this regime in the first place, any individual has to have the right mind-set in the first place for the rest to follow. So if this is something you’d like to engage in but for whatever reason don’t feel that you can – get in touch and through working together we can soon get you to where you want to be!
Sue: My asthma – which I thought would kill me by the time I was 40 – disappeared completely in just a few weeks. From the constant use of two kinds of inhaler and being threatened with steroid injections I went to wheeze-free and I haven’t needed meds for 17 years. I also stopped having colds. I get the occasional sniffle but never anything serious. I get what I call colds but they only last 24 or 48 hours and are nothing like the ones I used to get before I went vegan.
Julie: I switched to a vegan diet for the animals. Nothing else. I had no idea the health benefits that would follow! My goodness. IBS: gone! Migraines: gone! What I thought were allergy symptoms: gone!
David: I used to get sick a lot. Since becoming Vegan I don’t… ever. And this is also because the mind is now cleansed of confusing internal debate. Going Vegan is like a breath of fresh air and life just makes sense!
Robin: My husband thinks it has relieved his arthritis. He mentioned this in passing and I googled it and found out veganism has often been cited as a contributing factor in alleviating arthritis.
Billy: Many! Indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation (I was lucky if I went to the bathroom twice a week), hemorrhoids, depression, skin problems, aching joints, tooth decay, bad breath, and that’s just a few caused by dairy products. Since I ditched that killer, I am a new man! I never ate meat anyway so I know dairy was the culprit.
Stacie: I have a family history of IBS. Everyone on my Mom’s side of the family has severe bouts of it. As a vegetarian, my symptoms were mild, but when it was bad it was really bad. Since going vegan – no more symptoms!
Barbara: My genetically high cholesterol went down 100 points and has stayed down. I am able to eat whatever I want for the first time in my life.
Elizabeth: My lifelong horrible acne got cured… I stopped getting colds and flu. I am not exaggerating. STOPPED. However it took over a year after switching the diet for this to come about. The first year or so I reckon I was still detoxing the animal products out of my body, so I still had acne and got my yearly flu and cold. But only that first year. Since then, nothing. And that is after 20 years of acne, and many many years of getting at least one horrible flu bug (usually around Christmas for some reason) plus one or two colds every year.
Diane: I’ve had bouts of depression most of my life, but not once since becoming vegan almost 6 months ago. Also, I no longer have mid-afternoon energy slumps, and I’ve lost most of the stubborn excess pounds I never was able to lose before!
Julie: Acid reflux disease. Migraines. IBS. Those are gone. I also have arthritis…though it is not gone, what used to be extreme pain in my hands and knees is very minimal now. It amazes me every day.
Laura: I used to have an unexplained skin problem, I used to get groups of sores that wouldn’t heal on my arms, chest and upper back, had it for years and years. After I became vegan they cleared up. I’m assuming it was either an allergy or a hormone imbalance caused by dairy. I’m also no longer anaemic. I never passed the iron test at blood donations before I was vegan.
Don: Lower back pain and sinus infections have virtually disappeared. I used to get 2-3 bad sinus problems a year, and have had just one in the last 21 dairy-free years.
Alexa: My post-traumatic arthritis doesn’t hurt as much; or for as long. Also, I feel like my reflexes got better. I catch myself in a skid and I’m able to stop it rather than landing painfully on the ground.
John: I lost about twenty pounds of body fat. Also, since I began drinking green smoothies two years ago, I have not been sick. I’ve also had more energy and been more passionate about life since I became a vegan.
Dianne: Headaches and migraines. I still get them but not as often and not so severe.
Billy: I had a headache all the time too! Another thing – I always had that fungus thing with my toenails. Gone now! I also seldom ever get sinus infections or even colds or flu. Veganism is the way to go! Not just for better health, but for the animals, that’s all I really care about. But feeling better is nice too…
Tierra: When I went vegetarian 31 yrs ago, my monthly migraines decreased by 95% – they are rare and are stress induced rather than due to hormonal imbalances brought on by meat and dairy. And even though I was 90% vegan for the past 10 years, I didn’t realize even that much dairy was giving me wretched indigestion! After going 100% vegan, that’s gone! Antacids are a thing of the past for me and for my husband who no longer needs medication for that.
Emma: I don’t get all the normal bugs and infections that the mass population gets. I haven’t had a cold or flu for at least five years.
Marilyn: My Multiple Sclerosis SHUT UP!!!!
Amanda: Chronic eczema and irritable bowel syndrome disappeared within a month of going vegan. Numerous specialists had never once suggested I try giving up dairy. 27 years later still as healthy as ever.
Selena: I don’t have upset stomachs anymore!!! I don’t give my digestive system such a hard time! I love being vegan!
Rex: 30 years ago I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Well… I am still here.
Robin: I used to have terrible Rosacea! And now I literally have that porcelain skin that I always dreamt about!! Clear skin and a clear conscience. My doctor put me on some pills to help it (go figure) and of course they never did… once I went totally vegan, BAM. Gone. Pills: Gone. Doctor: Gone. Now I see these commercials for those pills and it drives me crazy! I just want to jump in the TV, push all those silly actors out of the way & scream just GO VEGAN!! Btw, I didn’t go vegan to help my skin. I went vegan for the animals and environment. I’ve just always looked at my skin problem being gone (and just feeling wonderful in general) as a little thank you from the planet and animals for doing the right thing!
Robert: There`s a whole bunch of health benefits I experienced. I also lost 35 lbs without even trying – all I did was go vegan. I feel really light now, and have energy like I never had.
Suzanne: I had a terrible skin condition for about two years and tried all creams and potions etc… Nothing really did any good, but within two weeks of a vegan diet it went away.
Christine: I used to have some pretty intense joint pain in my fingers if I squeezed them; that’s now gone. I had acid reflux for about six years, and that went away too. I’ve lost almost 30 lbs and my skin is clear. Gotta love that! Oh… and I also had a problem with mucous in my head. That’s gone away too! I guess it was in my lungs and worked its way throughout the body.
Paul: A curious one: I lost a lifelong allergy to peanuts. And a more common one: weight loss and more immunity to flus and colds.
Martina: I stopped needing my reading glasses. Same for my mom, who became vegan in her eighties.
Alexa: I stopped getting Charlie horses in my calves and calcium spots on my fingernails.
Deborah: 30 lbs of fat!!! Very nice side benefit. OH… Gout – I had that bad in my big toes. No more! I became Vegan for the animals without a thought to the health benefits which just seem to be never ending!!
Jenn: I have been healed from IBS since going vegan. Every day I am grateful and amazed! It was a miracle for my life.
Rat: IBS and I never get colds or flu I lost weight too changing from just veggie to vegan as did my girlfriend. PMT is nowhere near as bad either when you’re vegan also, as you are not consuming extra hormones in your food! But I also did it for ethical reasons not health. But I always am aware of the health of being vegan; it is the best for your body and mind!
Sue: I rarely get a cold (twice in 17 years in case you’re interested) and when I do it’s barely noticeable. The big thing for me was that my asthma, which was simply getting worse and worse on the drugs I was on, disappeared completely.
Kathleen: Asthma and allergies! and all the horrible meds that went with them.
Heidi: High Blood Pressure! No more meds!!!!
Chandra: Asthma flare-ups from dairy
Harold: Chronic fatigue syndrome/Epstein Barr Syndrome, and heart disease.
Philippa: I lost weight, going from Vegetarian to Vegan, cutting out cheese and other dairy was a big change on my body… But health had nothing to do with it for me; I would still be doing it if it was hard on my health.
Jennifer: Since giving up dairy I’ve had only a few sore throats (vs getting them every month or two). They only last a few days instead of weeks. So wonderful!
Stephanie: I haven’t gotten any food poisoning in the past four years. I used to throw up at least once a year after eating at a restaurant but it hasn’t happened since.
Jay: Spare tires… and aches in leg joints caused by carrying excess weight.
Nick: My Hyperthyroidism.
Chris: A chemical imbalance in my brain that made me stupid But seriously, The worst “cold” I’ve had in four years since being vegan is a runny nose! I’m also running further than I ever could before.
Faye: I don’t get colds and flus, throat and chest infections any more.
Mandy: No colds since going veg and no allergies either!
Nick: Colds still happen but take care of themselves.
Liliya: To be honest, I feel lighter in my heart and soul, and that’s important to me…
So if you’re looking to vastly improve or heal your health, or accelerate recovery naturally, it’s pretty evident that adopting a vegan lifestyle has some very powerful benefits. In any case, you certainly have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! Plus, as I always say, the proof is really in the pudding, so why not see for yourself.
To get started and make positive change today, please feel free to check out the ‘Super Dietary Acceleration Plan’ page, get exploring, and enjoy! Also do get in touch with your own
Amidst all the hype and here say, type 2 diabetes can in truth, be completely reversed; and it doesn’t have to involve any expensive pills, surgery, or senseless diet fads. Nor does it have to be overwhelming or complicated, it just requires making some all-round positive changes in your life, starting from deep within.
If you apply the following 7 proven ways to reverse diabetes collectively as a multi-pronged approach, there is every reason you can fully and successfully reverse your condition, seeing vast improvements to your health very quickly.
Mind-Set
It has been profusely evidenced of how an overall positive out-look and attitude makes all the difference when it comes to taking control of our health, and has led patients to triumph over medical diagnoses.
This is because mind-set is everything; our thoughts affect our emotions and our emotions determine our behaviour, our health, and the results we get in life. Therefore, by mastering this cognitive cycle, the rest will always follow.
For example, if we look at some of the key factors for the on-set of type 2 diabetes; stress, diet, and sedentary lifestyle. But when we look beyond such factors as to why an individual might engage in such habits in the first place we arrive at factors that lie deep within our psychology like various pressures, trauma, sadness, depression, self-neglect and so on – quite literally and meta-physically, lacking sweetness in life (hence physically over compensating for this). Ultimately, everything pertains to mind-set, emotions, behaviour, and how our body’s respond physically.
In one major study of 400 spontaneous remissions of cancer, later interpreted by Elmer and Alyce Green of the Menninger Clinic, found that all patients had one thing in common: Every person had changed their attitudes before their remissions, changing their thinking to being hopeful, courageous, pro-active and positive.
When it comes to Successfully reversing type 2 diabetes and maintaining this for life it is no different. The right mind-set will always ensure the necessary determination and resourcefulness needed.
Here are some key characteristics observed in patients who have triumphed over medical diagnosis;
- An unshakable confidence and belief in the body’s ability to utilise its own wisdom to encourage and facilitate healing with the right guidance.
- Strong goals, focus on creativity, and sense of purpose – something worth fighting for and a life worth living.
- Good humour, positive and cheerful attitude.
- The absence of panic when things don’t always go according to plan (focussing on what can pro-actively and positively be done going forward)
- Taking a full share of responsibility for their own health and establishing a close ‘partner relationship’ with their physicians.
Establish clear, specific, and determined goals
In line with classic goal theory and research we know there is a clear relationship between goal setting and improved performance. It is also the case that very specific goals as opposed to vague or abstract ones make all the difference in attainment.
All successes start with a goal, but to turn these goals into a real outcome they need to be clearly defined, measured, and driven by a strong motivation and purpose, especially when reversing diabetes.
Here are some simple pointers you can apply in developing a solid goal.
- What is your motivation and for what purpose? Is this strong enough to ensure you take action?
- Take small daily steps toward your goal & make yourself accountable.
- Apply the process of SMART goals to make your goal specific, measurable, realistic, and achievable.
- Have bench marks along your journey, and reward yourself accordingly.
- Apply clear, detailed, and specific visualisation of your successful outcome using all your senses (see below for more specific details of this)
Emotional Well-Being
There is much evidence showing that it is only when there is a significant change in emotional well-being, that successful physical reversal ensues and remains. There are also widely documented cases of unexpected medical recoveries and healing only when the emotional root cause of any condition has been successfully addressed.
In this case, as the root cause of type 2 diabetes can ultimately be traced back to negative emotion, specifically a lack of sweetness in life leading to the physical changes that eventually manifest as type 2 diabetes; it’s essential to address these so as to avoid any future repeats and relapse, encourage excellent blood glucose control, and a strong immune system.
To make any permanent positive change to our physical health, having a good awareness that all health is indicative of our thought patterns and emotions, has proven key.
This is because every single thought and emotion we have, affects every single cell in our body. That’s the mind and body connection; everything we think and feel, scientifically affects us physically (whether we like it or not). This is because the same electro-chemicals that carry our thoughts and transmit information from one cell to another, also bathe every single cell throughout the body, so the mind and body are constantly communicating with one another.
Our thoughts and emotions affect the bio-chemistry of the brain which in turn sends specific signals to the body, subsequently causing it to make further bio-chemical changes, which ultimately transpire and manifest as various symptoms and physical health conditions.
For example, we know that stress is a major factor in developing diabetes. It contributes to poor control and directly raises blood glucose.
This is because when we begin to feel stressed the brain releases a chemical called corticotrophin which signals to the pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone which in turn signals to the adrenals in the body to produce adrenaline and cortisol.
Not only is cortisol a potent immune system suppressor causing host of undesirable physical effects that we commonly associate with stress, it also causes insulin resistance. Adrenaline and cortisol also work directly on the liver to break down stored glucose to be released back into the blood stream, therefore resulting in increased blood glucose.
It’s therefore vital that to successfully reverse diabetes, the initial emotional root cause is worked on, along with doing everything possible to ensure continued emotional well-being.
Dietary changes
We know that making changes to diet is a major key component in the reversal of T2 diabetes, but this doesn’t need to be complicated if we focus on the evidenced results and look at the big picture. You can then work out what is best for you to apply, given your preferences.
In one successful study conducted at Newcastle University (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21656330) it has been proved that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed quickly through dietary changes – in one to eight weeks.
This study was carefully designed to assess the results of a dramatic dietary change on Type 2 diabetes. Volunteers with Type 2 diabetes were asked to consume protein shakes and a low-glycaemic-load, plant-based, low-calorie dietbut not to exercise over the eight weeks of the study. After just one week, participants had reversed most features of their diabetes – and all features of their diabetes by the end of eight weeks.
In total, 11 people with diabetes (nine men and two women) were studied and compared with a control group. Through sophisticated techniques, including MRI imaging, they measured the participants’ blood sugar and insulin responses, cholesterol levels, and fat in the pancreas and liver (some of the hallmarks of diabetes) before and after dietary changes at one, four, and eight weeks.
What they found was quite astonishing. The beta cells (the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells) woke up, and the fat deposits in the pancreas and liver went away. Blood sugars normalised in just one week. Triglycerides dropped by half in one week, and reduced 10-fold in eight weeks. The body’s cells became more insulin sensitive and, essentially, in just eight weeks, all evidence of diabetes was gone and the once ‘patients with diabetes’ looked just like the normal controls on all the testing.
Further to this we know that there is plenty of empirical evidence that lower carbohydrate diets and vegan regimes can also result in the successful reversal of T2 diabetes.
From working successfully with people myself, other successful individuals I know of, several studies and cases across the globe, and having made strides with my own T1 diabetes (and I know of one case where I am actually on less insulin than an individual with T2 diabetes); a lower carbohydrate regime, combined with a vegan lifestyle has proven to have extremely successful. Equally I have tested both regimes in isolation and they still generate powerful results.
In any case, regarding diet, any healthy regime that allows the body to rest and regenerate as a consequence of not having to process excess sugars and have its precision hindered and blocked by excess fat, as well as including majorly beneficial nutrients that can actually assist in repairing the body naturally, and function to help with the processing of carbohydrates (derived from specific fruits, vegetables, and plant sources); is a major factor in reversing type 2 diabetes.
Some other good authorities that you can research for specific diets for T2 reversal are:
Dr Neal Barnard MD – Vegan Diet Advocate, researcher, and regime
Dr Cheng Ruan MD – www.ruanMD.com – Reversal cases and regime
Dr Em Mardlin PhD – www.dr-em.co.uk – The Acceleration Plan
Lifestyle Adjustments
In one particular study we see how the positive impact of lifestyle interventions on Type 2 diabetes make a significant difference, and can greatly accelerate the reversal process.
This study randomly assigned patients with Type 2 diabetes in groups to receive either 10 sessions of biofeedback and relaxation or three sessions of diabetes education. All sessions were individual, and a total of 39 participants was enrolled, of which 30 completed the three-month study. HbA1c (average three-monthly blood glucose), forehead muscle tension, and peripheral skin temperature were measured, and participants were also scored for depression and anxiety, before and after the study.
This study showed that biofeedback (instrumentally measured awareness of manipulated physiological functions using natural techniques) and relaxation significantly decreased blood glucose levels and muscle tension, compared with the control group (those receiving diabetes education). At the three-month follow-up, the biofeedback group continued to show a decreased blood sugar level and decreased their scores on the depression and anxiety inventories.
Research has also shown that meditation can significantly reduce stress and blood glucose levels, and improve self-care to better manage and accelerate reversing T2 diabetes. This, in turn, was found to motivate people to exercise more and therefore led to better sugar-level control.
Such research shows that making this type of adaptation to an individual’s lifestyle can assist dramatically in improving, stopping, and reversing diabetes.
Below are important proven factors to greatly assist in the reversal process of T2 diabetes.
Activity
Although it’s actually been proven that type 2 diabetes can be reversed through dietary changes alone, if we look at the reasons why this is so, we conversely see how increased activity and exercise has the same potential. More over activity has the power to accelerate T2 reversal and improve general health overall, which is key to ensuring permanent reversal.
Being active helps the body to burn fat, calories, and sugar.
Increased activity generates endorphins (feel good chemicals) therefore warding off emotional eating and excessive stress.
Being active also improves general health and fitness levels, helping to support a stronger immune system to repair and maintain the body.
So the more active you can become, the better all round to take this condition in hand and get it reversed sooner rather than later.
Reducing Stress
We discussed above the direct impact of stress increasing blood glucose levels and supressing the immune system, so applying affective techniques, strategies, and coping methods for stress and anxiety reduction is imperative if you are to successfully reverse type 2 diabetes.
Good Sleep
Aim for a good 7–8 hours of sleep every night to invigorate and refresh health. Sleep is the body’s natural healing time. This is because during deep sleep, the production of growth hormone is at its peak. Aside from maintaining glucose levels during sleep, growth hormone speeds up the absorption of nutrients and amino acids into the cells and aids the healing of tissues throughout the entire nervous system. Growth hormone also stimulates bone marrow, where the immune system cells are born, and these naturally protect us against illness as well as aiding healing.
Melatonin, often called the sleep hormone, is produced by the pineal gland in our brain at dusk to help us get to sleep and then throughout the night while we sleep deeply. This is important because this hormone inhibits tumours from growing, stimulates the immune system, increases antibodies in saliva, prevents viral infections, has antioxidant properties, and enhances the quality of sleep. Sleep is therefore crucial to dramatically improve and stop diabetes.
Studies show the value of maintaining a steady and natural rhythm in sleep patterns. Researchers at the University of Toronto Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology (Moldofsky et al, 1975) reveal important insights into how sleep heals.
Dr. Moldofsky conducted a study examining how the immune system reacts to sleep deprivation. Researchers examined natural killer cells, a component of the immune system that attacks bacteria, viruses, and tumours. During the study, 23 men slept about eight hours for the first four nights. On the fifth night, researchers woke up the men at 3 a.m., giving them four hours less sleep than usual. This one interruption to their sleep pattern caused the activity of the natural killer cells to decrease by more than a quarter the next day.
It is important to note here that general research suggests that just three hours’ sleep loss leads to a 50 percent reduction in immune system efficiency. Melatonin reaches its maximum potential about an hour after we fall into a deep sleep, so after this time, the body’s repair systems go into full swing. We must capitalize on this to achieve full health, healing, and well-being.
Meditation
Scientific studies show regular meditation can:
- Lower blood glucose levels
- Lower blood pressure and improve circulation
- Increase energy and creativity
- Strengthen the immune system
- Release stress, fatigue, and toxins
- Extend our life by approximately 10 years
- Aid in looking and feeling more youthful
- Provides more psychological rest than a full night’s sleep from just thirty minutes meditation.
- Aids decision making and productivity.
Such pointers will intrinsically help with the reversal of diabetes, given all the former points discussed. Body scan meditation and Kundalini meditation are particularly powerful, see Mind Body Diabetes Ch.5 or visit www.dr-em.co.ukfor blogs and guides.
Visualisation
Visualisation is an incredibly powerful technique, and when it is properly understood and applied it has fantastic results. As the mind generally thinks in pictures and uses all our senses to create memory, using strong imagery can engrave positive messages deep into our neurology and effect physical changes. This is primarily because the part of the mind responsible for running and maintaining our body 24/7 on autopilot is unable to recognise the difference between what is real and what is not real, if we visualise something with enough clarity and detail. But this must be very clear and specific, using all our senses.
Through using PET scan technology, it is known that the same parts of the brain are activated whether subjects are vividly imagining something or experiencing the reality of it. The nerve firing and chemical release is so similar, powerful neurotransmitters allow the mind to influence the body in the same way.
If you’ve ever had a very realistic, vivid dream and woken up either crying, laughing, or perhaps disturbed, or unsettled by it, then you have experienced this. Although it is ‘just a dream’, it stimulated a physical response because your body believed it to be real and responded accordingly. You may even have had to question if something has really happened or not, when you have simply dreamt about it.
There are numerous well documented clinical and medical case studies where patients have successfully used visualisation to shrink tumours and rid the body of cancer, through to visualising away arthritis.
Similarly, we can use visualisation to assist in the process of reversing type 2 diabetes in two ways. The first being clinically, to activate positive physical changes within the body such as encouraging the natural stimulation of insulin producing beta cells and storage of glucose. The second being the visualisation of achieving your end goal in order to embed this into your neurology so you are wholly focussed, engaged, and expecting of full reversal.
This is important because if we see something with enough detail and clarity, our minds will instruct our bodies to physically respond accordingly and make the necessary changes. Speaking personally and professionally by way of empirical evidence, visualisation has a very powerful and positive affect in improving diabetes and accelerating the reversal of type 2 diabetes.
Establishing an encouraging and positive support network
The link between health management and support networks has been researched extensively in the social and behavioral sciences, suggesting that overall positive and pro-active family, social, and professional support can benefit patients’ health by buffering stress, changing affective states, increasing self-efficacy, and influencing change in negative health behaviors.
Research found that practical and emotional support received by both family and friends had a positive influence on global measures of diabetes management and a meta-analytic review of 122 empirical studies found that adherence to their health regimes was 27% higher when patients had practical support available to them.
As we often naturally mirror similar traits to those who we regularly interact with; it is key to ensure this is as positive, pro-active and encouraging as possible. It’s well known that negativity breeds and de-motivates individuals, and the reversal of type 2 diabetes takes dedication, positivity, and a pro-active attitude toward health. Therefore, a positive environment and support network is known to make a significant difference to the successful reversal of this condition.
Further to this a positive, forward thinking health care team is also known to make a positive difference regarding motivation.
Empirical evidence also suggests that when engaging in any dedicated health regime, being surrounded by like-minded peers engaging in the same process is of great benefit to help with feeling able to openly confide and having an external source to compare and measure personal progress with.
Dr Emma Mardlin, Psychotherapist & lecturer, Clinical Practitioner in Mind Body Medicine at The Pinnacle Practice & Author of Mind Body Diabetes, a positive, powerful and proven way to stop diabetes once and for all, Type 1 and Type 2.
www.dr-em.co.uk
