In the last few posts, I've been talking about positive psychology. Now I want to highlight a few of the positive emotions. I'll describe how you might access them, and what makes them an antidote to the stress and suffering you often feel as a migraineur. 

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Gratitude

When someone gives you a gift without expecting to be repaid, you feel grateful, in a way that is heartfelt. When was the last time you felt this way? As you recall that occasion, how does that change your spirits right now?

Gratitude opens your heart. The appreciation you feel towards your benefactor carries with it the urge to respond, freely and with creativity.
 

Positive psychology techniques provide regular opportunities to experience gratitude.
  

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Curiosity & Interest

One of the joys of life is discovery of the new, and becoming fascinated by that subject - be it a challenging new skill like salsa dancing, a book that takes you in unexpected directions, or the delight of getting to know a new friend. 


When was the last time you were "in flow" like this, when you felt super-alive, and time went by without you realizing it?


Migraine sufferers lose many of these opportunities. Positivity practices can clear the mind so that it is again open to be immersed in new interests.
 


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Amusement

I'm sure you've laughed recently. On the whole, though, having migraines is serious business, and it is worthwhile to cultivate as many opportunities to laugh as you can.

To be positive, laughter should not be at the expense of others - it should be safe. Even better,  laughing with others builds the social connections which are so valuable for the quality and length of life.

Positivity practices, such as those which teach you to be in the moment, take you out of yourself and let you see life in all its many flavors.

Learning about and practicing positive psychology will allow you to access more positive emotions, like joy, serenity, hope, inspiration and love
You will start to counteract the forces of negativity that migraines have brought into your life.

My webinar to introduce you to positive psychology in more detail is coming on Tuesday October 23rd at 2 pm Eastern Daylight Time. 
Please put it in your calendars now!

 
Next month I  will be hosting an exciting introductory webinar which will show you how you can use positive psychology to improve your quality of life as a migraineur.
 
This post contains a very brief survey to get your input on the best timing for the webinar and the seminar series which will follow it. There's also a bonus for completing the survey.

Positive psychology has proved effective in the treatment of multiple  sclerosis, depression and stress. It also helps people by building their ability to bounce back from setbacks.

The link to the survey is
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D5NQGLV
I look forward to your response!
 
Today I want to share with you some relevant practical research about using positive psychology for people who have chronic illness - in this case multiple sclerosis.
Here is your link:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/20/using-positive-psychology-to-cope-with-chronic-illness/ 

Key points in Dr. Manny's interview include:

  • how to counterract the knock-on effects of MS and migraine 
  • the importance of a positive attitude
  • deepening social connections
  • using gratefulness exercises

The second video is a one-on-one with Elizabeth, an MS patient. See the link below:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/everyday-matters/index.aspx 

The highlights of this one for me were: 
  • Elizabeth's honesty
  • how inner strength can lead to future growth
  • how a coach can help the process

Positive psychology is an important new tool which can help episodic and chronic migraine sufferers cope better with the impact of their illness...
You can look forward to a better quality of life!


Coming soon:
                 
                     How YOU can learn how to apply Positivity in your own life.


Be well,

Gerry Fryer, MA, ACC

[email protected]

http://migraineindependence.weebly.com/