Chronic Illness Q&A with Dr. B.

larryB&W@300This question & answer column is for people living with chronic health challenges and their family caregivers, who want to learn to increase the odds of improving their health by learning to live with mastery & wellbeing.

I invite you to post your questions in the comments box below. When I get a certain number of related questions, I pick one that covers them all and I answer that one.

I post to this blog three times per week. Monday posts are relevant published articles. Wednesday posts are interviews—mostly video. Friday posts consist of questions about living better with chronic health challenges, and my answers to them.

Here is today’s question:

QUESTION:  You often say: Never do anything you don’t want to do!  That sounds absurd because I actually do have to work. Why do you make that statement?

ANSWER:   Thank you for responding to my intentionally provocative statement. Part of being human seems to include the language of have to when used in reference to anything that is less pleasant than our favorite activities. The reality is that we choose to work, even though it may be far from our favorite activity. We choose to work in order to provide for our families or for ourselves. We may even choose to do work we don’t enjoy in order to put food on the table.

Every time we use language like have to, we give ourselves the message that we are powerless and in a victim role. Try substituting choose to whenever you become aware of thinking you have no choice. It will empower you and allow you to live with greater wellbeing.

This website is offered as a free public service, supplying information that has been found helpful to certain people living with chronic health challenges. No treatment is offered on this website. The advice is general, and may or may not apply to your individual situation, and is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment.

What questions do you have about how to live better with chronic health challenges that are related to the relationship between states of mind and health? 

Just scroll down and type your question in the comment box. I will post a reply to your comment, but your question may not appear in this column. 

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply