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Wellness Beyond Illness: Finding Peace in Chronic Pain
Manage episode 477491383 series 3595341
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Life throws curveballs that force us to reexamine our fundamental understanding of wellness. After receiving multiple autoimmune diagnoses—oral lichen planus, xerostomia, and lichenoid mucositis—I've spent four challenging months navigating chronic pain and severe dietary restrictions. No more coffee, cocktails, spicy foods, or my beloved animal crackers. This dramatic shift prompted me to attend a Buddha wellness retreat during spring break, seeking strategies to protect my peace and find relief from my constantly burning mouth.
Through personal experience and research, I've come to understand wellness as far more comprehensive than simply feeling physically well. True wellness encompasses multiple dimensions: physical health through exercise and proper nutrition; mental resilience built through meditation and stress management; emotional balance sustained by self-care and gratitude; social connection through meaningful relationships; and purpose-driven living through work that feels meaningful. As I often tell my students, "When you do what you love, you never work a day in your life"—a philosophy that keeps me grounded despite physical discomfort.
The journey through chronic illness has taught me that wellness isn't the absence of disease but rather a holistic approach to living well despite limitations. I'm discovering strategies like grounding myself by walking barefoot on earth during meditation, exercising my memory by avoiding immediate Google searches (what I playfully call accessing my "brain files" like Spongebob), and focusing on meaningful social connections. Whether you're battling health challenges or simply seeking greater balance in your life, I hope my reflections inspire you to consider what wellness truly means to you. How are you nurturing your physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being today? Share your thoughts and join me on this ongoing journey toward holistic health.
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Chapters
1. Welcome to Elkivate Your Life (00:00:00)
2. Exploring Wellness During Chronic Illness (00:01:03)
3. Physical and Mental Health Components (00:05:15)
4. Social Connections and Brain Health (00:09:28)
5. Shoutouts and Sponsor Highlights (00:14:03)
6. Closing Thoughts and Easter Plans (00:21:39)
59 episodes
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