Chronic Illness Q&A with Dr. B.

Dr. Larry Berkelhammer

The purpose of this blog and the entire website is to provide evidence-based information on how to live with self-care mastery. It is for all medical patients, caregivers, and advocates who want to learn how to collaborate with physicians to optimize health. It is also for those living with a debilitating medical condition who want to learn about the power of the mind to effect physiological changes, including ideas and practices that allow the mind to be the catalyst for healing.

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

Here is this week’s question:

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:  Please say more abouthow to retrain the mind to reside in a healthy state.

ANSWER:   The simplest and most reliable way is through slow diaphragmatic breathing, maintaining good posture, and consciously calling up an image of your desired results.  Slow diaphragmatic breathing of between six to twelve breaths per minute, with longer outbreaths than inbreaths reduces emotional distress and calms the autonomic nervous system. Practicing good posture throughout the day improves self-esteem and enhances internal organ functioning. The intentional practice throughout the day of conjuring up mental images of desired results serves to reduce the incidence of negative thinking.

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 below. I will post a reply to your comment, but your specific question may not appear in this column. When I get a certain number of related questions, I pick one that covers them all and I answer that one.