Be Well
“Just as man cannot live without dreams, we cannot live without hope. If dreams reflect the past, hope summons the future.” – Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor
Some of our recent days on this planet do not offer up a lot of hope, do they? I chose the quote above from Elie Wiesel because if any population on this planet of ours can attest to the importance of hope to their survival, it is survivors of that atrocity.
As a student of history, I have long noted the connection between the emotional and physical as it relates to survival of those in dire circumstances. When one does not have hope, the physical body quickly goes into decline. Hope, and more specifically, particularized hope, has been shown to be an important part of the recovery process from illness; it has strong psychological benefits for patients, helping them to cope more effectively with their disease.1
Most of us have had circumstances at some point in our lives, perhaps with our own illnesses or problems when hope brought us through the situation. Hopelessness, on the other hand, can not only affect our brains, but also every organ of our bodies. The ability of our immune systems to effectively defend us is compromised when we lose hope.
As noted in the clinical aspects of hopelessness, we greatly reduce our ability to fight disease and disorder in our bodies. Elderly people are a good example of this. Most who can remain in their homes or in vibrant social situations fare much better in their physical health.
Holocaust survivors indicate that hope was the only thing that brought them through situations more horrific than most of us can imagine. The hope that they clung to allowed them to survive until the Allied forces were able to finally free them from their captivity and torture. Certainly, they were physically compromised and suffering, but they survived. Another well-known example is Senator John McCain, who indicated that hope enabled him to survive his 5 ½ years as a POW in Vietnam.
This year I have personally experienced two family members fighting for their lives, one being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia – now in remission, thankfully – and the other unfortunately now in hospice care with pancreatic cancer. Hope has played a role in both situations and we are hopeful that one will remain in remission and that the other family member will find peace as she departs from us. Both instances require hope; without it we have little to guide us and nothing to sustain us.
Our country, and our world, is feeling a little shaky right now; it is easy for hopelessness to creep in. However, I encourage you to control what you can; eat healthy (sugar is not our friend!) and ensure that you get some exercise every day. We must keep moving; walk, run, dance, whatever works best for you. Keep your muscles strong with strengthening exercises, and don’t become isolated, keep your social network strong. And, also, for your own peace of mind keep your news input to a minimum – with the exception being your local Hamilton County Reporter!
1 Wiles, R., Cott, C., Gibson, B.E. (2008) Hope, expectations and recovery from illness: A narrative synthesis of qualitative research, Journal of Advanced Nursing
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.