Your mindset and Fibromyalgia are more linked than you may think. They are intricately interwoven together, so managing your Fibromyalgia requires a positive mindset. It is widely accepted that a negative mindset will lead to depression, so if you want to beat the odds, developing a positive mindset is crucial. Here is why a positive mindset is so important to managing Fibromyalgia and chronic illness, and how you can develop it.
Some Background
When I was first experienced Chronic Fatigue in my 20’s, my Doctor wouldn’t even diagnose it as Chronic Fatigue; I was diagnosed with depression. So was it Chronic Fatigue or Depression? Before the Chronic Fatigue set in I:
- worked a full time job as a law office file management clerk.
- worked 10 hours a week at Orca Bay Entertainment Arena (GM Place).
- was taking 2 courses a week at Vancouver Community College (VCC) to get my Business Administration certificate.
Does that sound like someone who was depressed?
I maintained this schedule for over a year until I was pressured into getting a flu shot at the law office. The results were debilitating, and within a month I wasn’t able to continue the part time job because I couldn’t manage the stairs because my legs were so weak. I finished the current course I was taking a VCC, but didn’t sign up for more. Within a few months, I was on short term disability from the law firm. Six months later I was denied long term disability and fired.
So to be completely clear the Chronic Fatigue came first and then the depression. When you’re in your mid twenties and can’t get out of bed, it’s understandable that depression would take over. Especially when your medical misdiagnosis caused you to lose your job.
Your mindset and Fibromyalgia’s connection
With the help of alternative medicine and a new focus on becoming a singer and actress, gave me the hope and positive mindset I needed to recover from Chronic Fatigue. By managing my diet, activity levels, and positive thinking, I lived a very active life for fifteen years.
After a relatively innocent fall, I injured my body and Fibromyalgia set in. This time, along with the exhaustion, constant pain entered my life. This time however, the internal medicine specialist I was sent to recognized that I did indeed have Chronic Fatigue in my twenties, not depression, and after ruling out any other chronic illness, that I had Fibromyalgia now. Having young children at the time didn’t help, as I found it very hard to keep up. Being told the there was no cure for Fibromyalgia didn’t help either, and as before depression did set in. As I indulged the negative thoughts, the FM understandably got worse.
After praying fervently to God for help, He introduced me to Trish Blackwell and the College of Confidence. Trish taught me the importance of positive thinking, journaling, and knowing my purpose in the world. One of the tangible results of the positive thinking, was the improvement in my FM and the desire to get better. Just thinking that I could get better was a huge step for me. God then introduced me to the Med Missionary course where I learned how diet and exercise could rid me of my pain.
How To Develop A Positive Mindset
Step one to developing a positive mindset starts with being able to recognize a negative thought and reframe it into a positive one. A great way to do this is through Journaling. I currently journal in the evening and the morning. In the morning when I journal I start with listing out 3-5 gratitudes. Then I write down my first thought, which is usually “I’m too tired, I can’t get out of bed.” I then reframe that thought to something positive and believable. This usually is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.” I then pray to Jesus to help me get through the day. He has never failed me.
Step two to developing a positive mindset is to have a number of responses ready for your most common negative thoughts. That way when the negative though arises, you have something to shoot it down with. right away. The real key to defeating a propensity for negative thoughts, is to refute it as quickly as possible. The longer you allow a negative thought to remain, the stronger it will get. By recognizing it as the lie it is and changing it to something positive, you weaken that thought. Over time that thought will be replaced by the positive answer you have for it. It may take many years, but it will get quieter the more you challenge it.
Easy Responses for Common Negative Thoughts
- I am good enough, God says I am so it’s true.
- I can do this, and I will.
- I had enough sleep last night, and I will make it through the day.
- I can handle anything with God on my side.
- So what if that does happen? I can handle it.
- God says I’m worthy and He never lies. Therefore I AM WORTHY!
- I can do anything that I decide to do.
These are powerful thoughts when you use them consistently. My favourite one for combating my anxiety is “So What?” Whenever an anxious thought enters my mind, I ask, “is this going to kill me?” The answer is always, “no.” Then my response is, “So what are we worried about then?” This thought process stops the spiralling before it starts. Now all I have to say is “So What?”, and it’s over. My brain knows that I’m not going to entertain that train of thought and gives up.
In Conclusion
Your mindset and Fibromyalgia or Chronic Illness are intricately connected. If you choose negative thoughts your condition will nose dive. When you choose a positive outlook, your condition will improve. A positive outlook will help you look for solutions, get outside for some fresh air, and choose healthier food options. A positive outlook also feeds upon itself. The more you get done, and the more improvements you experience the happier you will feel. The happier you feel, the more of that feeling you will want. The positivity cycle is real, and your health will benefit from it.
I understand the hesitation you may be feeling about positive thinking, as I didn’t believe it 5 years ago. I assure you this really does work, so give it a try. Focusing on positive thinking for 6 months will reveal a totally new you! I’ve been focusing on it for 5 years now, and you couldn’t pay me to go back to the person I was back then. If you would like more information on building a positive mindset, reach out to me at andrea@nopainallgain.ca, and I’ll be happy to help you out!
As a natural encourager, I live to help others!!! One-on-one coaching is a great way to start building your confidence, and improve your health! I help people with Fibromyalgia and chronic illness manage their symptoms with ease, so they never feel held back again! Click here for an application form and I would be happy to help you in your journey. You can also contact me at andrea@nopainallgain.ca or check out my website: www.nopainallgain.ca
