Just how powerful IS positive thinking?

PhillieG

There was just a segment on CBS Sunday Morning called Just how powerful IS positive thinking? The results were surprising to say the least.

While I believe that attitude is everything when fighting cancer, the data doesn't back it up. For every one of me, which I'm sure some of you think is one too many ;-) there are a dozen people who also have a positive attitude but don't do as well. What this show also talked about is how some people feel bad if they don't do well even though they had the good attitude everyone said they had to have.

While attitude MAY be everything, it's certainly not the only thing. The other care you receive is just as important to your recovery (or not) in my opinion. I think that the good thing that having a positive provides is that it can be a big motivator in getting one's butt off the couch and living life instead of just sitting home and having a pity party.

There is no right or wrong, yes it works or no it doesn't work answer here. We each have our own experience that certainly doesn't fit everybody.
I just thought it was interesting topic and others might enjoy the piece/peace
-phil

*UPDATE*
This is not to say that we all don't feel bad and need to feel bad some days. I've found it impossible and unrealistic to be upbeat all the time. We have cancer or a loved one does for crying out loud. It can be very dangerous when we start to blame ourselves for our situation.

Lovekitties

Interesting topic
I don't know that positive thinking can provide a cure, but is sure goes a long way towards making every day a bit brighter.

I have never heard that positive thinking has done any harm, so why not promote feeling a bit better!

Thanks for the topic.

Marie who loves kitties

laurettas

Very interesting, Phil
I personally think keeping the stress level down has more to do with people doing better than a positive attitude. I have a sister-in-law who is a "woe is me" person. Everything is bad and has been her whole life and she lets everyone know about it. Not in a mean way but "this is how life is terrible today". She is a smoker, not that active, a little overweight but her health is better than anyone else in the family. Her cholesterol is low, low blood pressure, etc. etc. I think that she is constantly relieving stress by her complaining.

The problem with the positive attitude idea is, as some have mentioned, it can cause stress itself, putting pressure on someone who really doesn't need any more burdens. I agree that a positive attitude can help people endure the hardships of the treatment and get them motivated and out of bed in the morning which is always a good thing, but there are those who have a negative attitude who get out and do what they need to do as well. If you have a negative attitude, but still do what you need to do, then I think you will probably have the same outcome as a positive person.

th_in_canada

positive thinking
When I was on chemo, I would have 1 day a round where I would "lose" it at home. I'd start crying and not be able to stop. I felt so guilty on those days because I wasn't keeping my "positive attitude" that everyone told me to have. Then a wise friend told me that it was the chemo making me cry and besides, if I wanted to cry, go ahead, I had something to cry about! This took away a lot of stress and allowed me to just let it out and not worry about it.
Also, as Phil saw on CBS, when my cancer progressed, I felt bad that maybe I hadn't been "visualizing" enough, or thinking enough positive thoughts, or didn't have enough faith to believe in a miracle. Again wise friends helped me through this. I didn't need the stress of thinking it was something that I did or didn't do.

dasspears

laurettas said:

Very interesting, Phil
I personally think keeping the stress level down has more to do with people doing better than a positive attitude. I have a sister-in-law who is a "woe is me" person. Everything is bad and has been her whole life and she lets everyone know about it. Not in a mean way but "this is how life is terrible today". She is a smoker, not that active, a little overweight but her health is better than anyone else in the family. Her cholesterol is low, low blood pressure, etc. etc. I think that she is constantly relieving stress by her complaining.

The problem with the positive attitude idea is, as some have mentioned, it can cause stress itself, putting pressure on someone who really doesn't need any more burdens. I agree that a positive attitude can help people endure the hardships of the treatment and get them motivated and out of bed in the morning which is always a good thing, but there are those who have a negative attitude who get out and do what they need to do as well. If you have a negative attitude, but still do what you need to do, then I think you will probably have the same outcome as a positive person.

Agree with you and Phil...
I think it's an illusion in a couple of ways. For the individual diagnosed with cancer - they think a positive attitude may cure the cancer, but at the very least, it will make it easier to deal with the diagnosis. I found that a positive attitude made it a more positive experience during radiation/chemo - not necessarily easier. And, a positive attitude makes those around us more positive - not always a good thing. Sometimes, we need to be ourselves - we need to let the world know we are hurting and not so positive. We need to feel the negative because it is a real emotion. So, I believe we should acknowledge the feeling at the time - negative or positive.

maglets

th_in_canada said:

positive thinking
When I was on chemo, I would have 1 day a round where I would "lose" it at home. I'd start crying and not be able to stop. I felt so guilty on those days because I wasn't keeping my "positive attitude" that everyone told me to have. Then a wise friend told me that it was the chemo making me cry and besides, if I wanted to cry, go ahead, I had something to cry about! This took away a lot of stress and allowed me to just let it out and not worry about it.
Also, as Phil saw on CBS, when my cancer progressed, I felt bad that maybe I hadn't been "visualizing" enough, or thinking enough positive thoughts, or didn't have enough faith to believe in a miracle. Again wise friends helped me through this. I didn't need the stress of thinking it was something that I did or didn't do.

Phil
what an absolutely great thread....I have survived for 7 years....apparently against the odds...
I agree with you that a positive attitude gets you off the couch....people tell me all the time the reason i have survived ....yup..you guessed....my positive attitude

in many way I tend to pretend not to be positive. I lean heavily on the side of not tempting the fates...not too much bravado here. I like to think that greater powers will deliver what I deserve.....therefore if I am too pushy....too confident ....things may not go well.

I n my heart of hearts I am positive....but I like to keep my head down.

I also believe we all do our cancer our own way. I do not believe that just thinking away your cancer will make it so....some wonderful people lose the battle through no fault of their own.

thanks Phil....great topic

mags

pete43lost_at_sea

cbs what would they know
great topic, its far more powerful than they realise.

these days we can prove and disprove everything by how studies are designed, by how the stats are massaged.

so personally being positive in thought and action is what got me to the doctors surgery at 8.15am to meet an wondeful wholist general practioneer. i was meditating on the floor in the foyer in the dark. when the receptionist opened up, she said who are you. the first appointment for doctor savage i said. my commitment, my gratitude to being seen immediately was evident by my arrving early.

it set the tone for the consultation and the day.

for me being positive is easy, every cloud does have a silver lining. i admit though sometimes they are hard to see.

its not just positive thinking or talk, but actions as well that i feel has helped me everey step of my healing journey.

hugs,
pete

karen40

Positive thinking???
I agree with laurettas,keeping stress levels low are important. Stress is known to weaken the immune system,among other things. As we all know,it's important to have a healthy immune system while fighting any type of disease or illness. Although positive thinking may not cure cancer,I believe it is closely related to how much stress we allow into our lives.I believe having a positive attitude keeps stress from consuming our every thought. I'm not saying a positive attitude should stop us from acknowledging any of the emotions associated with stress but it does help keep those emotions in check.
Karen

pete43lost_at_sea

i think in the west we call it positive thinking
in the east they called it a strong chee or qi i think
http://damo-qigong.net/cancer.htm
i started a qigong training course.
while doing the course last night your post pop into my head.

maybe qigong is positive thinking for the chinese, but i think its alot more.
this guys teacher is over 140 he says. who knows.
i positively enjoy it.

hugs,
pete

Nana b

pete43lost_at_sea said:

i think in the west we call it positive thinking
in the east they called it a strong chee or qi i think
http://damo-qigong.net/cancer.htm
i started a qigong training course.
while doing the course last night your post pop into my head.

maybe qigong is positive thinking for the chinese, but i think its alot more.
this guys teacher is over 140 he says. who knows.
i positively enjoy it.

hugs,
pete

I never cried because my
I never cried because my tears burned like hell! Phil, I think you have a great attitude! Keep it up!

I don't stress over anything, they can kiss my....! . Ooops! Lol