Love and Health

When I meet with clients, I am interested in getting a picture of what a day in their life looks like.  I am looking to see if there is a daily rhythm of care and connection, movement, rest, nourishment, play, reflection and intimacy.  The body loves rhythm and health needs rhythm.  Health also needs love, and I am also curious about whether or not they are feeling loved at this point in their lives.

Dean Ornish in his book Love & Survival, talks about the power of love and intimacy to profoundly affect our health and protect us from disease.  Although Dr. Ornish is best known for his pioneering work with reversing heart disease through a vegan diet, his work with thousands of people led him to see that despite the best diet and lifestyle conditions, health and survival was higher in people who felt loved and connected in their lives.

I think this is a good reminder that while supplements, organic foods and exercise all contribute to health, there is something bigger going on in our lives that is holding us together. The healing power of connection and love.

If you are feeling loved in your life right now, take a moment to appreciate this blessing in your life.  It is so sweet.  Pass it forward. Look people in the eyes and smile at them. Acknowledge acts of kindness. Be generous with allowing for the humanity of others. Feel the love and shine with it.

If you not feeling loved right now, know that life changes moment by moment. Anything is possible. Love and health are all around waiting to be invited in.  The first step is in opening mind and heart to this possibility. In therapy, we might explore some negative beliefs about yourself that you might have picked up along the way…like the fear that maybe you aren’t lovable or deserving or good enough.  They aren’t true, but the fear that they are true can block your energy and your health.  It is possible to replace them with positive cognitions that can change your life.

May we all feel loved.

Victoria Pawlowski, RD. RCC. MEd.
Counselling and Consulting
info@victoriapawlowski.com