Mind over Body—How Thoughts Can Heal

“Your mind is in every cell of your body” —Candace Pert, Neurobiologist

It’s easy to get attached to the body as only physical because it is so tangible—something you can actually pinch and say, “Yep, that felt real!” But, the real power lies in the mind-body connection, which can never be broken. I had a personal experience of the power of the mind-body connection when my blood tested positive for lupus. I remember coming home from the doctor's appointment and telling my husband. The feeling of defeat was overwhelming as I said the words out loud. I felt life draining right out of me, as if I actually had a leak someplace in my body. I started thinking about how the rest of my life might look. I was alarmed at the number of lives claimed by this incurable disease. I started reading about people leaving jobs and using their long-term disability benefits, which I was very grateful to even have. I had so many concerns going through my head.

A short while after receiving the news of my positive results for lupus, I headed to Hawaii with my daughter—a trip we'd planned many months before. Sitting with her on the beach, going to dinners, shopping, and spending good mom-daughter time together felt more important than ever. I held underlying thoughts of, "Will I be able to do this with her again?" or, "How much longer will I be able to love her, nurture her, be her mom?" There was a heaviness in my heart, and probably hers too, but we didn't talk about it. We just wanted to be on vacation and have fun together.

On our last day on the island, I was feeling pretty energetic so went for a jog. As I ran I thought, I'll be damned it I let this (I decided not to say it at this point) get the best of me! The fight was on. My pace quickened and I ran hard. I started speaking directly to my body. With every stride, I said things like, "My body is filled with pure light" and "My cells are in perfect health." As I said the words, mentally as well as out loud, I imagined being filled with a white liquid. I had a vision like that old commercial of scrubbing bubbles eating away the grime and leaving a perfectly shiny surface. I had scrubbing bubbles eating away the darkness and making room for light. And somehow I knew I had to stop saying the word, lupus. Saying it gave it energy, life. I felt the fight emerging inside me. I'd be damned if I had lupus.

A few weeks later, I had a follow up to see a rheumatologist to review my final test results. My husband came along. After explaining the numbers—the lows, average, and highs—the doctor finally said, "I am not going to diagnose you with lupus. Keep doing what you're doing. Your numbers have improved. So for now, I am calling it a predisposition. But you do not have lupus." I looked at my husband and we both let out a breath of relief. We were speechless. I knew my mind had just showed my body who was boss! I felt a tingle run along my spine and a sense of knowing overcame me. Although I believed it was possible, there must have been a hint of doubt, because I was in a bit of shock. I'd just proven to myself that I could in fact heal my body.

My practice to “keep doing what you’re doing” meant to alleviate as much stress from my life as possible.  One step at a time, I made big and small changes.  I left the career that, albeit stressful, had served me so well.  At the time, I didn’t have tools to manage the stress that came along with that job.  But now I do.  I meditate and pray—with real effort and commitment—practice yoga on a regular basis, eat food to help reduce inflammation in my body, and I try to exercise more often. 

One thing I’ve learned is that stress never leaves us.  The difference now is that I have more self-awareness, which means that I pay attention (sooner) to the messages from my body. And I have tools to manage the inevitable stress that comes with being human.

A daily tool I use is the Mind-Body-Spirit Scan.  I ask myself three questions first thing, throughout the day as often as I can remember, and at the end of the day: 1) Am I having good thoughts and a positive attitude? 2) Am I eating good food and moving my body?; and 3) Am I sitting in stillness, even for just a little bit?  

The MBS Scan is your accountability partner, sort of like a coach or mentor.  It keeps you aware of areas you might be neglecting so you can make little adjustments along the way. 

—Excerpt from my forthcoming book, It’s Not About You: How to Stop Taking Things Personally by Taking Personal Responsibility