There are so many reasons to be anxious about your disease. Fear of pain. Looking different. Changes in relationships. Lifestyle limitations.
And the big one: mortality.
A certain amount of anxiety is absolutely normal. For some, though, anxiety can be crippling AND it can even work against healing. That’s something we don’t always remember.
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Rochester found that suppressing emotions may increase the risk of certain forms of cancer and dying from heart disease. This confirms earlier studies that have linked anxiety and depression with health consequences. Studies going back two decades have shown that cancer patients who express their emotions about their disease do better: less pain, fewer symptoms and fewer cancer-related doctor visits.
We’ve read these studies and wonder why more treatment protocols–for ANY disease–don’t take this into account. This idea that we can harness the mind to help the body is something I’m passionate about communicating.
That’s why we offer A Guided Journal for Healing. That’s a page from it in the image above.
It’s a safe place to express those feelings you may be holding in, to air them and reduce your anxiety level.
If you don’t like to write, you can draw, paint or even make a little collage. The important thing is to let out your feelings and feel better.
With sturdy cover and pages, the journals are coil-bound so you can work with them easily anywhere.
Plus they are lovely, and make thoughtful –and most important, HELPFUL–gifts.
You can buy them individually OR as part of our Large Healing Gift.
Are you an Etsy lover? I’ve got a shop over there, too!
This sounds like a great took for helping to get your mind focused on healing and wellness during an illness. The mind is powerful, and it can help or hinder you depending on what is coming through it.
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THis is great. Doctors, family, and friends tend to focus on the physical healing when you’re sick/hurt. But the emotional part is just as difficult. This looks like a great way to help cope
I can see how this would help so many to process their thoughts and feelings onto paper. Some can’t or don’t want to talk about it all the time and drawing or writing is perfect.
candy recently posted…No Bake Summer Fruit Pizza
This sounds like a great resource. Many of us suffer with something, whether it be anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.
Writing is something that everyone should do. It helps one to express feelings as well as putting down thoughts and opinions that one might not want to verbalize.
Expressing one’s feelings through the methods you mentioned can be very therapeutic. The journal you wrote about would be ideal for that.
I think journaling is an important aspect of healing. Your journal looks lovely and will inspire people to use it.
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I love etsy and your story…and the journal. How is your Etsy site doing, btw?
This sounds like a great journal for people who need it. I know writing things down have always helped me.
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What a wonderful tool to help people express their feelings! When people are ill they need all the resources they can get.
There was an interesting article in last week’s NYT “My Brief Trip to Cancerland” by Jennifer Weiner that touched on this subject.
Tom Sightings recently posted…End of the Journey
This is such a great way to help someone with a disease cope, and manage. It would also be great for the caretakers, if there are any.
State of mind is huge in the healing journey. I realize people need medications and doctors and surgeons but mindset and being positive is huge.
wendy recently posted…Whole30 Asian Paleo Noodles (Low Carb)
A positive attitude goes a long way whenit comes to any illness. I have my own issues and when I don’t let them bother me it helps me good through the day.
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I wholeheartedly agree! And I am happy to see more research being done into this connection. I know that writing about some of the overwhelming feelings–that are both a result, and a symptom of my condition–has helped me greatly over the years.
I can only imagine the amount of anxiety that comes with having a disease. That journal sounds very helpful to reduce it.
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I have a chronic illness and sometimes let anxiety about it get the best of me. I think writing it down in a journal would be a great way to release some of the worries.
Theresa recently posted…Raspberry Peach Tart
Expressing your thoughts and your emotions can improve your well being so much especially when you’re dealing with a disease. I think this journal is a must have. I like that it has prompts.
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When you’re ill, it can be hard to process all your emotions about what you’re going through. I can definitely see how that would cause anxiety and that you need to work through that.
Writing every night on my diary helps me calm down when the day I had is not so great. It’s a very relaxing thing and I think it’s great for those who are suffering some health issues.
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I think I know who to give this to. My cousin just passed the 5-year mark of being cancer free. She is still undergoing further tests to make sure there are no mets. She may seem like a jolly person but I know deep inside she is worried.
It is tough to process emotions. I have some physical issues from lifting things, and even with that, it is stressing me out knowing that it affects my daily life. So I can see how things can snowball and make things that much more difficult.
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I’ve heard about this Guided Journal for Healing item before and it’s a great way to cope with anxiety. Writing can be a form of venting or expressing yourself through the journal which can be a big help.
I have a friend who struggles the most with how it changed her day to day living. The limitations it placed on her have been weighing heavy as of late.
So many people could use this journal. People need an extended outlet to grieve and this journal could help.
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I would have loved this when I received my cancer diagnosis. I think it is a fabulous idea.
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Journaling is a very effective way to deal with emotions you need to express. My father introduced me to journaling and I’ve been doing it since. I think a guided journal is cool too.
Lucky daughter!
Having a disease adds up most of the time stress in the person. This is such a great healing gift. Definitely a big help to one suffering from such anxiety.
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Carol this is a good posting. Back in Sept. I wrote a post for you regarding my years as an oncology nurse now I get to practice what I preached for so long. My husband was diagnosed in Feb. with gastric cancer. I have found it was much easier giving advice then it is to walk the talk. I wish I could get my husband to go to a support group because I do think getting things off your chest helps.
Nice to see you here, Victoria!
My mom was very sick years ago and had a lung transplant. I can definitely see how this would help people! A must read for others dealing with sickness!
This sounds like a great way to manage anxiety about diseases. It would definitely be a great gift idea showing support to someone going through it as well.
Shannon Gurnee recently posted…Our Daughter Goes to Prom
I wish I knew you back in the days when I was in the muck. I always poo pooed anxiety until I was upside down in life and always expecting the worse.
I’m grateful to be healthy so far but it must be so frightening to know you have something serious and you don’t know what the outcome will be.
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I love that there are alternative activities for people who don’t like to write. Another helpful product!