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November/December 2007 Alternative Health
Finding Your Path to Recovery

by Holly Stokes

Holly Stokes

When faced with illness, relationship difficulties or any of life's challenges, the biggest paradigm shift you can make is You are in charge.

You are in charge of your health, your body, and in creating the results you want. In facing any illness, your attitude can have profound effects on your recovery and your ability to heal.

Here are just a few tips for overcoming illness, keeping a positive attitude and speeding your road to recovery.

Find your reason for recovery. What is your reason for getting well? What would you like to be able to do, have or be? Then practice seeing yourself beyond your illness or challenge. What will life be like once you've overcome your illness?

Gather perspectives. In neuro-linguistic psychology (NLP), there is a saying that wisdom is three or more perspectives. We are living in an information explosion. Information can be found everywhere, through the Internet, libraries, friends and support groups. Getting many perspectives can help you look at what's worked for others and develop your own strategies for creating your road to wellness.

Have a clear goal. Often, we ask for too little. If your goal is to manage your symptoms, that is what you will get. If you set your sights higher, chances are, you'll get even more. A little bit of hope can go a long way.

Take charge of your challenge. Work to make your goals reality. Often trying combinations of therapies, or including alternatives like acupuncture, natural health and massage will help you improve your mood, stay upbeat and help you create your road to recovery.

Use the power of belief. Western medicine can't explain why some people diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live suddenly get well and are thriving 12 years later. There is a lot to be said for the sheer will to live.

What are the life lessons? What are you learning from this experience? What value is there in engaging in the process and working through these challenges?

What are the gifts of your illness or challenge? One of my colleagues dealing with Crohn's disease said, "There is nothing like a chronic illness as a wake up call for life. You appreciate even more every day that you are well, and you identify what's really most important to you in life." I was a little taken aback at first - it was more than just making the best of a bad situation, it was bypassing the "bad" part, releasing judgment and getting to gratitude.

Work with a coach, try NLP or hypnotherapy. A coach can give you the structure, time and space to explore your own best answers. It is also a great support system where the coach can offer a variety of perspectives, help you create new strategies, prioritize what's most important and create a future that's compelling.

An NLP practitioner can help you explore the internal sets of meanings and beliefs that may be contributing to your health and wellness. Once these are identified, these applied psychology tools can help you work to resolve issues, often speeding recovery. NLP processes can also help you create new associations and internal meanings that support your health as well as engage the power of belief to work in your favor.

Hypnotherapyis an active way of engaging the mind/body system to improve health and effect positive change. It has become increasingly popular in preparing for surgery, speeding healing and recovery, and reducing pain. It's an effective form for working with the subconscious mind, and can be useful in identifying underlying issues that may be getting in the way of recovery and optimal health.

Holly Stokes, master NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and certified coach, works in Vancouver. She offers coaching, classes and trainings to help clients achieve results and bring their dreams to life. Visit www.ExpandingPotentials.Net.