Is your glass half empty or half full?
How you answered the above question could determine how you view your TMJ disorder. Chronic illness can turn your life into chaos, but a positive attitude can make a huge difference in how you deal with it. Attitude is not just about your outlook on life, it is also about choosing what that outlook will be. If you look for the good in life, you will find it….but if you look for the bad you will find that too!
A new field of study called psychoneuroimmunology has emerged, (combining psychology and immunology), and the medical community has taken a serious interest in the link between attitude and physical illness. Evidence has shown that those who use techniques such as moderate exercise, meditation, yoga, visualization, positive affirmations etc are able to actually enhance their immune systems. Does this prove the theory that those who think sick are most likely to be sick and those who think well are more likely to be well? Researchers think so!
Did you know that when you laugh your body releases hormones and chemicals that affect your body in amazing ways? Blood pressure goes down, your immune system gets a nice boost, endorphins are released, tight muscles relax, and best of all there is a reduction in pain! There are no known negative effects of laughter…..no wonder it is called the best medicine! 😉
What you can do to keep a positive attitude:
- Laugh…….it is contagious, and best of all helps to relieve pain!
- Stay connected with family and friends.
- Never lose hope. We know much more now than ever before about TMJD, and medical research is being conducted all over the world. Better therapies and treatments are on the horizon.
- Stay involved, learn to be your own advocate.
- Shift your expectations…you may not be able to run the marathon, but you can enjoy a brisk walk. Make a list of the things you want to do, and find ways to do as many of them as possible. Create a new self and merge it with your “old self”.
- Surround yourself with a good support system that includes doctors, friends, family and those who are going through the same thing as you.
- Keep a journal, and make sure to include what you are grateful for each day.
- Hire a coach to help you navigate your TMJD journey.
Having a positive attitude is just as important as your physical therapy and proper nutrition. Surrounding yourself with positive people and plenty of laughter is an important piece of the puzzle when you’re learning to thrive withTMJ disorder.
So is your glass half empty or half full? What can you do to increase the amount of positivity in your life?
I was told one time not to see the glass as “half”, but to see it as “full”. Half-full of water, half-full of air! Positivity makes the difference for me!!