it is not a new concept that positivity can help speed the healing or recovery of sick people, but i wanted to see how many nurses actually believe in the power of positive thought....
1dr. masaru emoto, a water researcher from japan, performed thought experiments on water molecules. he discovered that when these molecules were exposed to positive thought (accomplished in part by writing positive messages on the bottle of water itself), that beautiful geometric shapes would form as discovered when examining the molecules under a microscope, whereas negative thought created asymmetric, erratic shapes. this discovery that thought has a literal impact on our reality is not just found here.
2according to quantum physics, everything is energy in motion, including our thoughts. and those thoughts tend to attract similar energies. thus, positivity will attract positivity.
3for proof of such an occurrence we simply look at the placebo effect. i once had a patient who was always in pain. he received roxicet for the pain but requested more than permitted quite often. so with the doctor's permission, my partner and i began giving him vitamin c tablets which quite resembled the roxicet. the results were positive. the patient felt relief, just from his belief that he was receiving actual pain medication. studies on patients with parkinson's disease, who experience symptoms based on an insufficient production of dopamine, go even a step further than that. they found that when some patients received a placebo, not only did the symptoms of parkinson's disease (such as shuffling gait or hand tremors) decrease, but there was also an increase of dopamine in the brain. this is a true demonstration of the power of belief and positive thought actually affecting our lives at the cellular level.
with this type of proof before us, does it not make sense then that believing negativity and reinforcing negative thoughts daily could have the opposite effect, and actually decrease the happiness we experience and even promote illness? definitely!
4according to ayurveda, the medical field of india, "disease starts in the mind with thought. by cultivating the garden of your mind and generating positive thoughts, you can prevent disease."
all things are possible, and in the words of emily dickinson, "all but death can be adjusted".
do you believe that positivity can help speed the healing or recovery of sick people?
I wouldn't advocate negative thought but I do think there are times when being realistic leads to acceptance and closure which imo is healthier than clinging to hope despite the facts especially in the face of a terminal diagnosis.
Nurse430+yrs:
The challenge and the problem is - our medical "advancements" do not for the most part include metaphysical, spiritual or emotional "prescriptions".
In the spiritual area--the "treatment " is generally based upon traditional religion--which a lot of times puts illness in terms of "suffering" "punishment" from God. Or "something" one must endure.
In the area of the metaphysical and emotions: "We" (people in general) have gotten so far away from their "inner knowledge" "self healing powers" that we depend WAY too much on drugs, doctors etc. [Part of this is due to the fact we are constantly bombarded by advertisements for illnesses and drugs to treat them].
Given these factors: when one decides to accept the "realistic medical diagnosis---he/she does NOT have the complete picture and does not have full knowledge...
We must be VERY careful in encouraging others and perhaps even ourselves to "accept" the supposed inevitable sure "death diagnoses"....numerous studies have proven the mind and spirit CAN heal the body. There have been numerous documented cases of "miracles".
However, IF one has truly "bought into"...the "death diagnosis"..whatever that may be ---AND chooses to "give up hope"...then it's their choice.
My mother verbalized the wish to live; but yet still held hatred and resentment toward others; these are two polar ideas/ideals and two polar entities cannot occupy the SAME space at the same time; ONE has to take over--the one with most power wins. In this case she chose to give the power over to the hatred and resentment; this manifested itself into Cancer (reseachers have even tracked Cancer events to hurts/losses and unforgiveness that has never been resolved) .So she gave the power to the Cancer that took her; the cancer in her mind and heart that she couldn't let go of.
It really makes me sad to read this. I have seen many strong, positive, productive, happy people attempt to fight cancer and lose. Saying they didn't have the will or attitude to cure themselves would be blaming the victim. There have also been scores of nasty, resentful, lazy, hateful people that have lived long, physically healthy lives so imo sometimes a body is just a body, imo.
It really makes me sad to read this. I have seen many strong, positive, productive, happy people attempt to fight cancer and lose. Saying they didn't have the will or attitude to cure themselves would be blaming the victim. There have also been scores of nasty, resentful, lazy, hateful people that have lived long, physically healthy lives so imo sometimes a body is just a body, imo.
Nurse430+yrs.
"Saying they didn't have the will or attitude to cure themselves would be blaming the victim"----is not my quote!
Please do not take what I saidout of context----Yes, there have been strong, positive, productive happy people who attempted to "fight cancer"....and lose.
Again, "we" you and I do not know what is TRULY in another's soul. They may verbalize one thing and believe another in their soul. WE have no way of knowing.
There are some schools of thought in the area of metaphysics---that say when one "attempts" something---it is like "trying"...you either do or don't--there is no attempt or try.
Another school of thought in metaphysics is that "fighting cancer" is NOT the answer--"fighting cancer" gives the mind a negative connotation....our minds have a tendency to focus on a negative---rather than the desired results...... Instead of "fighting cancer"... one should be proclaiming HEALTH.
To fight something is to give it more energy! Here's an example: Take the "war" on drug abuse and it's slogan "don't do drugs"....Believe it or not this slogan creates in the mind of people ---a negative which draws them toward the negative. (If I were to tell don't imagine a blue elephant--what does your mind do?)....The same thing---when one focuses on the illness..the mind goes toward that; when the mind focuses on wellness it goes toward that. Mind you not ALL people will abuse drugs, some have learned to control their mind and thoughts; but for those who do not control their thoughts--they CAN be drawn to the negative.
It's the same thing with health and illness--and the terms we use--such as "attempt"; "fighting cancer". Even Lance Armstrong--when he had cancer knew the power of words--and created his program ----called "LiveStrong"....rather than "fighting cancer".
Two books which are excellent: The Tongue a Creative Force by Charles Capps and Hung by the Tongue. And anything by Joseph Murphy.
Again, "we" you and I do not know what is TRULY in another's soul. They may verbalize one thing and believe another in their soul. WE have no way of knowing.
Please correct me if I am wrong but this still sounds like you are saying that since we don't know what is going on inside their soul it is possible that they could have prevented their premature death if only they really wanted to.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I always enjoy reading other's opinions but while I do think attitude makes some difference I don't feel it is as influential as you do. We will have to agree to disagree this time.
Please correct me if I am wrong but this still sounds like you are saying that since we don't know what is going on inside their soul it is possible that they could have prevented their premature death if only they really wanted to.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I always enjoy reading other's opinions but while I do think attitude makes some difference I don't feel it is as influential as you do. We will have to agree to disagree this time.
Nurse430+yrs
It could be possible for some; that doesn't make them a victim or put blame on them IF that is their choice.
We all live at conscious and subconscious levels in our lives. The conscious level for the most part we are aware --and for the most part we control------the subconscious is another story---the subconscious is much like a robot that has the power to control us without our conscious awareness.
Things buried in our subconscious have the power to manifest in our physical being--hurts from the past, unforgiveness, bad memories, physical hurts....good experiences..bad experiences, every movie you watch etc. etc. etc.
Additionally, what you and I define as "life" and "living" may not mean the same to them; so some people do make a choice consciously or subconsciously --to exit.
The consciously or subconsciously is the key--it is possible that somewhere in a person's subconscious--there is that desire to die. (if it is subconscious---they themselves may say one thing--in their heart/soul believe another)...they may not even themselves understand; be able to verbalize or know...at a conscious level.
Since they may be unaware of it....then how can you or I say...."they could have prevented their premature death if they really wanted to"??? If f you are not aware of something at a conscious level---how can you prevent it?
Along with the subconscious factor---then add to that....the "medical model" of disease (which we call health care), and the spiritual component (religion--with suffering, etc) and all of the advertisement of "dis-ease" and drugs.....it's no wonder...we have so many "accepting their diagnoses".
There are others who believe we come into this life with a "pre-agreement" with "life" "God" as to the time of our "exit" out of this life.
Who really knows? I do not have all of the answers that's for sure----agree to disagee.
"Another school of thought in metaphysics is that "fighting cancer" is NOT the answer--"fighting cancer" gives the mind a negative connotation....our minds have a tendency to focus on a negative---rather than the desired results...... Instead of "fighting cancer"... one should be proclaiming HEALTH.
To fight something is to give it more energy!
You really are dead on here. I don't think about getting sick and so, I rarely get sick.
Here is a perfect example:
I had pre cancerous cells on my cervix, years ago. I remember not even worrying about it and I went back 2 months later and it was gone. Yes, I know precancerous cervical cells more often than not, will go away on their own.
But recently, a friend of mine was diagnosed with it. I tried to explain to her what happened with me and the power of just not thinking about it, etc. Unfortunately, she could not forget about it b/c of the word "cancer." She worried about it all the time and ended up having cryo. If this doesn't work, then surgery is next. She's only 28 and is still consumed by it.
It truly is the thought. It's always been my experience.
The more energy put into something, the faster it materializes. Be it disease or health.
You really are dead on here. I don't think about getting sick and so, I rarely get sick.
Here is a perfect example:
I had pre cancerous cells on my cervix, years ago. I remember not even worrying about it and I went back 2 months later and it was gone. Yes, I know precancerous cervical cells more often than not, will go away on their own.
But recently, a friend of mine was diagnosed with it. I tried to explain to her what happened with me and the power of just not thinking about it, etc. Unfortunately, she could not forget about it b/c of the word "cancer." She worried about it all the time and ended up having cryo. If this doesn't work, then surgery is next. She's only 28 and is still consumed by it.
It truly is the thought. It's always been my experience.
The more energy put into something, the faster it materializes. Be it disease or health.
Great example---congratulations on Good-Great health!
With 89% of the nurses on this thread believing they/we CAN impact the outcome health/healing for patients----can you share what kind of things you do to assist/help/facilitate this process?
With 89% of the nurses on this thread believing they/we CAN impact the outcome health/healing for patients----can you share what kind of things you do to assist/help/facilitate this process?
I would say that it's mainly about creating a positive environment for the patient while they're in the hospital. Talking to the patient in a bright, positive voice will definitely be a start. Providing care and positive thought processes to the patient. I know it really helps when people provide a positive state of mind towards healing. It's motivating and although sick, I believe the patients feel good when they have positive energy directed at them.
Specializes in Cardiac, stroke, telemetry,Med-surgical.
With 89% of the nurses on this thread believing they/we CAN impact the outcome health/healing for patients----can you share what kind of things you do to assist/help/facilitate this process?
My friend is a new ICU nurse. She told that some (not all) experienced nurses often make their own prognosis bases on their previous experience with "similar" cases. She said that it is difficult to stay positive when during morning report a nurse confidently predicts an outcome -- death-- for your patient.
The patient got well enough to be discharged home. My friend felt great appreciation for the patient for being able to defeat both the death and cynical disbelief based on years of experience.
nurse430+yrs
41 Posts
Nurse430+yrs:
The challenge and the problem is - our medical "advancements" do not for the most part include metaphysical, spiritual or emotional "prescriptions".
In the spiritual area--the "treatment " is generally based upon traditional religion--which a lot of times puts illness in terms of "suffering" "punishment" from God. Or "something" one must endure.
In the area of the metaphysical and emotions: "We" (people in general) have gotten so far away from their "inner knowledge" "self healing powers" that we depend WAY too much on drugs, doctors etc. [Part of this is due to the fact we are constantly bombarded by advertisements for illnesses and drugs to treat them].
Given these factors: when one decides to accept the "realistic medical diagnosis---he/she does NOT have the complete picture and does not have full knowledge...
We must be VERY careful in encouraging others and perhaps even ourselves to "accept" the supposed inevitable sure "death diagnoses"....numerous studies have proven the mind and spirit CAN heal the body. There have been numerous documented cases of "miracles".
However, IF one has truly "bought into"...the "death diagnosis"..whatever that may be ---AND chooses to "give up hope"...then it's their choice.