Five Factors Influence Recovery

BY ARLENE HARDER, MA, MFT

There is no magic bullet for recovery and cure, but there are five factors, both past and present, that have a lot to say about how you will get well.

While cause and treatment of any disease are highly complex, we can definitely say that physical well-being depends upon five factors, some of which, such as genetic make-up, are beyond your ability to change, but others, such as diet, are clearly within your power to do something about.

1. Past — and UNCHANGEABLE — Physical Factors

Genetic predisposition

Exposure to environmental risks

General health and vitality

Diet

Alcohol consumption

Smoking

Type of disease

Stage of disease at time of diagnosis

Age at onset of disease

Type of medical treatment up to present

2. Past — and UNCHANGEABLE — Non-Physical Factors

Ability to relax and reduce stress

Regular use of imagery and meditation techniques

Sense of well-being

Sense of control and purpose in life

Social support

Coping techniques and skill in dealing with challenges

3. Current — and CHANGEABLE — Physical Factors

Exposure to environmental risks

Healthy Diet

Moderate or no alcohol consumption

No smoking

Exercise

Comprehensive medical treatment

4. Current — and CHANGEABLE — Non-Physical Factors

Coping skills

Reaction to stressors

Use of relaxation, imagery and meditation techniques

Knowing self-care techniques for symptoms and side effects

Sense of self

Sense of purpose in life

Social support

Coping techniques and skill in dealing with challenges

5. UNQUANTIFIABLE — and CHANGEABLE — Factors

Will to live

Hope

Faith

Spiritual perspective

MOVING REALLY HELPS — EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD TO DO

Let's face facts. The more energy you have available, the more you can draw upon it to heal more rapidly, to prevent further damage, to provide a cushion of physical energy to counter the emotional drain of being sick, and to keep your muscles from wasting away if your physical problem requires prolonged bed rest.

So what can you do to increase energy? You can get up and move. It's surprising how much small amounts of movement make a huge difference. Here are just a few ideas if you've forgotten the importance of exercise.

Notice which activities make your fatigue worse, which make it better and what time of day you have the most energy. Then develop a plan to pace yourself, scheduling activities according to your fatigue-energy pattern.

Help regain your energy by learning relaxation techniques that allow your body to relax on a deep level so that it can get in touch with the healing and energizing power within.

Follow a daily exercise program that gradually moves from simple exercises that maintain and increase your range of motion to those that will build up your strength.

Exercise at least twice a day and more often if you feel up to it. Repeat each exercise three to five times at first, then gradually increase the repetitions to ten or twenty.

Leave out any exercises that seem too difficult and try them another day when you feel stronger. Stop and rest if you feel tired or if your muscles are sore. You aren't in training for the Olympics, only in training for life.

Invite a friend to join you for exercise if you are feeling weak or dizzy from prolonged bed rest or if you find it difficult to exercise by yourself. Your friend will be glad to help you in a way that is important to your health and you will feel better just because you have company.

Try yoga or Tai Chi, a Chinese movement program, both of which are not as strenuous as western exercise programs, but which can provide freedom of movement and a new way to experience your body.

© Copyright 1998, Arlene Harder, MA, MFT