How do you stay positive?

What I had to do was distance myself from groups that were only dragging me down or focusing all their time comparing meds and how bad there epilepsy was. We all know it's tough, but continually dwelling on it was just dragging me down. That is why I love this group. Everyone is so positive and uplifting. Thank you and know each of you keep me positive!

@dannoyes I stay positive by embracing the little wins, however small they are. Every day will be a different day and focusing on that day and staying present and in the moment is really key. Everyone will have bad days, however, surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting people, and supportive, loving individuals, can sometimes be the best medicine. I also make sure that I get enough sleep, that I eat healthy whole foods, exercise and have hobbies to interact with people and nature. I find some of the best things do not cost anything. I totally agree with surrounding yourself with positive people that don’t sit and dwell in the negative. It’s not good for mental health and it’s not good for staying positive. I believe the mind and body and staying in a good place is key to moving forward when you face medical issues, challenges, or trials. Another important factor at least I have found in my life, is taking time for yourself whether it’s an hour 45 minutes or 10 minutes, you take your time to just center yourself, or sit in meditation. Thinking of nothing, but a moment of peace and tranquility. It is good to get away from the noise of life. I also have found that having laughter, and smiling, has proven essential to diminish a negative outlook. After all, those of us that suffer with this are all fighters, each and every day of our life, we all persevere, and there is always someone who will have your back. Whether it be family, friends, church, etc, you are never alone.

Don't you almost feel that this perspective is almost as important as our medications? OK maybe I'm overstepping, but it sure does help.

If you are one who likes to read medical publications (yet this one is far more psychosocial and approachable than most), you might like this paper, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings back in 1997, by Ed Creagan, M.D., a Mayo Clinic oncologist:

-Attitude and Disposition: Do They Make a Difference in Cancer Survival? https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)63478-2/fulltext

This paper is more focused on cancer, given this doctor's profession, yet he also refers to a variety of medical and surgical issues. Note the part of the abstract at the beginning of the paper that talks specifically about social support, which I'm quoting here:

-Psychosocial interventions can be life enhancing in sharp contrast to the guilt-ridden programs of some alternative practitioners. A social support system and an element of spirituality and religion seem to be the most consistent predictors of quality of life and possible survival among patients with advanced malignant disease.

@dannoyes I do. For me they are more important than my medications. I realize that others may see this differently. However for me, medications are a piece of the puzzle, but not the entire piece. I am medication resistant, so for me, I never know how long or if they will last, so I focus on what I have control over.

I work very hard on this, and it is often difficult to stay positive. But I do agree that attitude and mind-set are so important, and can help in multi-faceted ways. What helps me is the appreciation of the little things, like playing Pickleball, working with others with much worse chronic diseases, my friends and family, AA meetings, the beauty of nature, hiking, gratitude lists, good food. But it is something I continually work on.

That it's one of the most beautiful things about this journey is that in order to thrive you must appreciate the small things life and not to take anything for granted. This week an old symptom from two years ago suddenly reappeared and I was ae to appreciate how far I've come and I will get through especially having such a wonderful Mayo family this time around.

You are so right about all. Participated on another social support group for a couple years. Since finding Mayo, I realize now how negative the other group is. I'll stay with Mayo now. I appreciate all your comments, Dan

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had experience with that other group. This one guy started arguing with me about the value of Mayo. I was like aren't we here as a support group, why are you arguing with me about a fantastic institution that focuses on building a healthier version of you. Also any group that focuses on what meds your taking is not where I want to be. Thanks so much for the feedback.

This is an ongoing process for me to stay positive. I have to say no and set boundaries. I read and have read many medical and neurological journals. I have a seizure risk from a craniotomy done in May 2014 due to access left temporal lobe . I had bacterial meningitis of my brain from chronic sinusitis. I have been seizure free over 11 years. I was coded during this illness. The brain recovering from something like this is quite amazing. It is called neuroplasticity. I now am recalling feeling and knowing I was dying. So I am processing this. I just made my own diy home decor plaque in memory and it says.... They told her you cannot withstand the fire. She whispered back I am the fire.