LGFB Guest Post: How To Feel Better Than Before

LGFB is excited to have another guest post by Jane Wilkens Michael, host of the Jane Wilkens Michael Show…Better Than Before.  Here is part two of her four part installment for LGFB!

Even after being told by your oncologist that you are free of any visible signs of disease, you still may be left to cope with psychological, physical, social and spiritual setbacks, along with all the accompanying issues and anxieties. And you well may be asking: “What do I do now?”

The Better Than Before program features a unique visualization technique, a 12-rung symbolic ladder. Each rung represents an important lifestyle change – a Lifestyle Discipline –in a specific area and delivers a wealth of information to help you relax, renew, and replenish. Indeed, the rungs cover all the diverse quality-of-life challenges that you might confront on a daily basis. 

The purpose of the ladder is two-fold. Not only is each rung loaded with advice from doctors and lifestyle experts, but you can take suggestions from all the other valuable sources available to you – such as those on the Look Good Feel Better site –and pop them into one of the appropriate rungs. So if you are overwhelmed and unable to process even one more piece of information, it’s an easy and effective way to file all the data and integrate it into your everyday life. 

Here’s how the ladder works: Grab onto each rung, each day, choosing but one easy lifestyle tip at a time and visualize yourself, with very little effort, beginning your climb to a better quality of life. The goal is to make each day — and in some cases, each hour — a little Better Than Before.

While the concept is extremely simple, when used every day, separately and in combination, each rung becomes a powerful force that gives guidance and encouragement, which leads to hope and a renewed sense of self, energy, and enthusiasm.

Here is a brief summary set of rungs of what a starter ladder might include:

1) Doctor’s Orders: Better health, mental and physical, begins with proper medical care.  If you’ve been prescribed a medication, follow the recommended course fully, even after your symptoms have disappeared. Express Scripts members can talk to a specialty pharmacist by calling the member number on their card. For others looking for more information about cancer treatment, adherence and other key topics, visit lab.express-scripts.com.

2) Emotional Health: Life is challenging, but the one thing we can control completely is our own thoughts.  Make them work for you. Today — and every day – make an effort to choose happiness.

3) Nutrition: A healthy breakfast is your power meal, the most important anti-fatigue and anti-anxiety tool. Always consider your supermarket your lifestyle pharmacy. Be sure to check all labels for chemical additives: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it.

4) Fitness: Start your fitness program slowly. Just go for a ten-minute walk before or after breakfast if you haven’t been exercising regularly.

5) Beauty: Glance in the mirror and say just one thing that you like about yourself. The Look Good Feel Better website offers great advice from so many experts, and it’s just a click away.

6) Natural Remedies: Take a moment to stop everything, sit in a relaxing position, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Slowly, steadily, breathe in and out through your nose, feeling calming warm air on each exhale. Now bring to mind and visualize a place that you always found the most peaceful.

7) Support: Happiness is contagious so don’t forget to smile. It will encourage others do so in return.

8) Spirituality: Thank your higher power for giving you this day, and don’t be afraid to ask for help for any other problem that might turn up, no matter how big or small.

9) Creativity: Think of one thing you wish to do today that will bring joy into your life—then make a plan to accomplish it.

10) Healthy Home: Make a small part of your home into your private sanctuary. Visit it daily and repeat a mantra, such as: "I have the wisdom, the power, and the courage to become Better Than Before.”

11) Reward: Your first reward is simply knowing that you have taken positive steps forward by using your ladder this morning. It will inspire you to do more on a regular basis. Look back on what you’ve accomplished. Enjoy it, savor it.

12) Giving Back: Tell your caregiver that you are planning on having a wonderful day and ask if he or she would like to join you.

See you next month with more. Till then, as I say as a sign off on my radio show – Be Wise. Be Well. Be Better Than Before.