Finding Bliss During Hard Times
Author: Shannon Miller Lifestyle
Guest post by: Lindsey Smith and Lorraine Miller
Being diagnosed with any illness can be a struggle emotionally, physically and even spiritually.
Post-diagnosis, we tend to ask the questions, “Why me?” or “What did I do to deserve this?”
These unaffirming thoughts can lead us to a downward spiral creating added stress and negative thinking.
Lindsey: I know when I was diagnosed with anxiety at age 11, I thought my whole world was crumbling around me. I thought I was different than the other kids at school and for a moment, I felt like I was the only one struggling with this.
Lorraine: When I was suffering from infertility, I discovered that according to Resolve, the National Infertility Association, “Research has shown that women with infertility have the same levels of anxiety and depression as do women with cancer, heart disease and HIV+ status.” Intuitively I knew that these feelings were working against me as far as my healing, and that this was true for others who were facing other health issues.
Being happy despite the newly found illness or other stressful situations can be a challenge.
While it is certainly a journey of ups and downs, here are three simple tools to help you find bliss even during trying circumstances:
1. Turn “have-to’s” into “get-to’s.”
Instead of saying “I have to (go to the gym, cook dinner, eat more greens, etc.) practice saying, “I get to go to the gym and work out today!” “I’m so lucky I have time to shop for fresh veggies.” Language goes a long way to improving your perspective on life.
2. Practice daily gratitude.
Simply write down 3 to 5 things you are grateful for and focus on how you feel when you think about them. We recommend getting a separate journal to do this, and practicing gratitude either first thing in the morning or last thing before going to bed.
3. Appreciate all the times your body has had your back.
If you think about it, our bodies are pretty incredible. They know when to go to sleep, wake up, go to the bathroom, maintain 98.6 degrees and tighten the eyes when the light gets bright. Despite trying circumstances or a diagnosis, believe that your body truly does have your back and wants to best for you! Appreciate and remember all the times it had your back and made you feel strong.
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About the Authors:
Lindsey and Lorraine are co-authors of the new, unique book, Bliss Cleanse: Your Two-Week Mind, Body, Spirit Guide to Greater Health and Happiness.
Lindsey Smith (right), known as the “food mood girl,” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun, and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips, and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life.
Lorraine Miller, HC, AADP (left), is a Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach and author of From Gratitude to Bliss: A Journey in Health and Happiness. Having recognized the amazing transformational power a regular gratitude practice has had in her own life, Lorraine has made it her life’s work to share what she calls, “The Gratitude Edge” – with the world. From coaching clients and teaching workshops to creating inspirational tools and programs, Lorraine shares her inspiring message and provides listeners with a key ingredient to opening one’s mind and heart to receiving all the good in the world.
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