E9: Choose Your World in the Context of Chronic Illness Recovery

Wisdom From The Other Side Of Recovery from Fibromyalgia, ME, CFS, POTS & MCS

In this episode Claudia and Dan talk about that moment in her recovery where she "chose her world".
We discuss practical and psychological aspects of where we place our focus whilst chronically ill and some of the fascinating neuroscience behind the practice of visualisation.
Strategies, impacts and much more about shifting our focus from illness to health.
For full show notes visit: https://cfsunravelled.com/episode9

**MEDICAL DISCLAIMER**: Dan Neuffer, CFS Unravelled or ANS REWIRE do not provide medical advice, and the information available in this video does not offer a diagnosis or medical advice of any kind. The content are opinions and information presented for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, and MUST NOT be used as an alternative to a healthcare professional’s diagnosis and treatment. Only a physician or other licensed healthcare professional are able to determine the requirement for medical assistance. Please seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding a medical condition.

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1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Podcast Disclaimer (00:02:28)

3. Introduction to Claudia's 'choosing her world' (00:03:11)

4. Claudia asks why it matters for recovery from chronic illness (00:04:55)

5. Why did Claudia decide to 'change her world'? (00:07:21)

6. Dan asks whether the new world might be more challenging - the loss and gains (00:10:00)

7. Dan shares his experience of being validated by others' experience (00:15:04)

8. Claudia talks about where the old world was leading her (00:18:53)

9. Dan and Claudia discuss the impact of changing your world (00:20:00)

10. Dan explains the double-edged sword of recovery focus (00:22:35)

11. Adjusting to a shift in identity (00:24:44)

12. Strategies to create a new identity (00:28:07)

13. How focus changes our world (00:30:14)

14. The physiological effects of using visualisation (00:32:03)

15. Overcoming struggles with positive visualisations (00:38:11)

16. Why positive thinking alone is unlikely to lead to recovery (00:42:36)

17. How positive focus prevents recovery frustration (00:43:24)

18. What holds us back from 'changing our world'? (00:44:03)

19. Understanding what drives our behaviour/motivation (00:46:27)

20. Anecdote about activity that is NOT low stress as expected (00:48:29)

21. Final thoughts about choosing your world (00:49:46)