Coping with Chronic Pain and Illness

Many times I am asked about how one can cope with chronic pain. Of course this is not easy for the person with a chronic illness. However, if you have accepted the chronic illness as part of your life, the important thing is not to dwell on it. Unfortunately people often have the habit to keep talking about their illnesses and diseases, thereby making it much worse. This kind of focus only promotes the pain and suffering.  You are giving the illness energy by repeatedly thinking and talking about it. 

Your first attitude should be one of acceptance.  Once you accept the problem, you don’t dwell on it. On the contrary, avoid reminding yourself that you have a chronic disease; that is part of your life - for now.  To make life more balanced, try to live responsibly, physically as well as mentally and spiritually.  Tools like yoga, pranyama and the use of a mantra can help tremedously.  By such tools you are focusing on wellness and not on your illness.  It is important to make an effort to balance your emotions. By having a balanced life, the effect of any chronic illness can be drastically reduced in many cases. 

Suppose you have back pain, a very common ailment; its discomfort can be reduced significantly, as can any other problem. I can assure you that it can be lessened.  Pain and suffering can be diminished, even eliminated by the right attitude, the right thought, the right emotion and the right practice. Of course, you have to learn and train your mind and emotions to be positive; then you can lessen the pain and discomfort to a level where it can be far more manageable, if not eliminated altogether.