Today's episode of the Radical Remission Docuseries features Palmer Kippola, Multiple Sclerosis Radical Remission Survivor and author of the book "Beat Autoimmune: The 7 Keys to Reverse Your Condition and Reclaim Your Health". While most of my research has been focused on cancer, none the less I am now learning that our factors for healing really translate across disease lines. Our practices benefit those suffering from a whole host of chronic diseases and Palmer's story illustrates just that.
My favorite aspect of Palmer's story is her discussion of stress and its effect on her wellness. To be sure, we all experience stress in our lives. I don't deny that. But the germane question remains: how do I process my stress and how many of the stressors are actually necessary? For Palmer, she had grown to embrace life as an over-achiever and sought daily to accomplish much. Feeling pressure from an early age from those around her, she carried that pressure with her into adulthood. I'm sure many of you can relate - we are defined by what we do, right ? We are valued for what we accomplish in this world. But the problem is ... who determines what defines 'accomplishment' ?? Before Palmer knew it her achievement agenda was burying her and she was collapsing under the weight.
So one day she accepted the fact that stress was affecting her health negatively and, while on a plane trip home, she got out a piece of paper and created two columns. In the left column she listed all of the stressors in her life. In the right column she listed exactly what she intended to do to either eliminate that stress or address it more effectively. Simple exercise to be sure. Simple but transformative for Palmer. She took that list as an action plan and proceeded to eliminate or greatly reduce those stressors so that she could focus on cultivating wellness.
Friends ... are you drowning under the weight of expectations - either yours or others' - that are unnecessary and are creating unmanageable stress in your life? I can assure you that chronic illness (including cancer) finds a home in our constant 'fight or flight' biology.
I encourage you to take a good, solid look at stress in your life. Make your two columns ... and make a conscious choice to implement the action plan in your right hand column.
Can't wait to hear how it goes .....
Palmer's story is available until 6:59 pm tonight EST! Catch it at the following link: https://www.discover.hayhouse.com/radicalremission/