I’m wondering today about the energy of choice-what moves us to make decisions that either support or thwart our well being? When it comes to how we obtain healthcare, what drains our energy and what empowers us? I believe that learning that we have options motivates us to explore ways to best care for ourselves, it's energy-enlivening. When we receive education and care from someone who respects our decisions, we feel free to ask questions, can make wiser decisions, and we become more energized to take actions which support our health (like taking a hike on a wintry day instead of sitting and watching TV...eating healthier food...)
Before I proceed, let me say that I am encouraged by the good work of many health care practitioners in both conventional and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). I don’t think our healthcare system as a whole is quite ready to truly embrace Integrative Medicine, although there are a growing number of individual licensed practitioners who are providing services and a slow trend towards getting the word out to neophytes so that the philosophy and practice can be implemented early on in a career of general medicine, specialities, and nursing (see a little more about training and education trends here).
Certainly medical and academic institutions aren’t yet embracing or implementing the concept of Integral Medicine, (see http://www.integraldevelopment.com/integral.pdf and http://wilber.shambhala.com/html/misc/integral-med.pdf for deeper detail about integral medicine], but there are some places where the need for blending a variety of approaches is at least recognized, and I believe that we will evolve towards more holistic care in the next generation or two (or three, or…). But it's a cryin' shame that we aren't welcoming these approaches as part of standard care now. There is a growing body of research highlighting the value of communication, conveying caring presence, and the importance of the relationship between healthcare provider and healthcare consumer in healing. Several years ago while exploring the power of placebo Barrett, Muller, Rakel et. al (2006) stressed how to "provide practical tools for astute clinicians...eight specific clinical actions: speak positively about treatments, provide encouragement, develop trust, provide reassurance, support relationships, respect uniqueness, explore values, and create ceremony. These clinical actions can empower patients to seek greater health and may provide a healthful sense of being cared for." How would you feel about going to the doctor's office if you got some of THAT? Would you be more likely to follow their advice, or trust in their recommendations, or seek advice in the first place?
And the mass media has provided us information about what energizes people to take better care of themselves, too:
A recent NY Times article also points out that when people have personal contact for 5-15 minutes per month beyond their initial weight loss period, they keep their weight down and their healthy habits persist, even 2 years later compared to those who don't. In other words, they stay motivated and are healthier when they have access to a trusted professional that can listen, provide them with information about health topics they’re interested in, and is available. So, it appears that we will use our energy to take better care of ourselves when we have a relationship that is more than rote. Perhaps it is not only the CAM modality, but the practitioner's attitude and time that leads people to spend more than 30 million dollars annually out of pocket for CAM therapies.
There is also evidence indicating that it takes repetition over time to create and deepen the pathways in your brain. Did you know this is how habits become automatic? If you’ve spent years thinking you don’t need exercise, that it’s okay to consume greasy sugary foods (like those little Krispy Crèmes or Dunkin’ Donuts!), or that you’ll get to that yoga class ‘one of these days’ to de-stress, it’s like wearing a path in the carpet: pretty soon you see that’s the only way to go, and you keep following it, even when it’s not leading you to where you want to end up. You need to make the ‘healthy habit’ pathway bigger than the unhealthy one. This requires awareness, and commitment, which can be supported and reinforced by balancing your internal energy :>D
In CAM and integrative medicine, rather than ‘doing’ meditation or yoga or energy work, we say ‘practice’. With practice over time, we become more skillful, enhance the neuronal pathways, and our habits, bodies, and behaviors become more supportive. Our thoughts influence our bodies; our internal balance influences our motivation. This applies to both practitioner and client/patient.PRACTICE FOR THE DAY: HELPING YOU MAKE DECISIONS
What better way to gain clarity and make decisons than to reduce your worry?
A Jin Shin Jyutsu finger hold is to hold your thumb! How easy can that be? Simply hold one thumb, and breathe. Holding for about 10 breaths will definately work, but as few as three slow breaths while holding first one thumb, then the other, will calm your nerves and help you to regroup your thoughts so that you can gain a new perspective. As you hold, close your eyes or look at something peaceful...relax your shoulders, become acutely aware of the pleasant physical sensation of your thumb being firmly but comfortably held; notice the sound of your breath and the movement of your ribs, abdomen, chest...feel your heartbeat slow down. Then, consider your options once again. It can work in a few moments, or you may wish to do this self-help exercise several times a day for a few days or a week before making a decision.
