©2001 by Deborah Bier, M.Ed.
So much of the emotional impact of chronic or serious illness
revolves around the theme of adjustment. Adjustments to feeling
unwell, to lesser levels of activity and capability, and changes in
priorities, finances, self-image, and relationships all can
come to the fore at once. Adjustment isn't just for the beginning
stages of an illness. There is a continued need for emotional and
mental adaptation as time goes by, too.
Chronic or serious illness may also produce feelings of helplessness,
frustration, hopelessness, or great sadness. It is common to
experience resentment at being ill or needing others' help and grief
at losing a way of life. Regardless of the source of the illness,
there is a powerful emotional component which can in and of itself
create a need for treatment, support, and amelioration.
Vibrational essences can be one of the tools used to help with
adjustment to illness. In that they are energetic in nature,
vibrational essences may more readily act upon the non-physical
aspects of our being than upon our physical bodies. Essences are therefore
particularly adept at addressing the emotional/mental aspect of illness,
as they influence our feelings, thought patterns, beliefs, and unresolved
emotional traumas.
Stress and Physical Symptoms
Many chronically or seriously ill people report a noticeable
worsening of their physical symptoms under stress. This may be
because stress has a wide variety of physiological effects on the
body. Exactly how emotions/mind and the physical body relate is
of course a complex question. But a deep, overarching connection is
assumed to exist by many healthcare practitioners. Reduction of
stress and improvement of coping skills may be help control
certain physical symptoms in some types of chronic or serious
illnesses.
Pre-existing attitudes about illness can also affect adjustment to it.
Users of vibrational essences may find that as their thoughts and emotions
change, their physical symptoms also shift. Even when the physical symptoms
remain the same, however, the patient's attitude about them can undergo a transformation. For example, the
symptoms might be easier to accommodate to...they might occupy less
of the person's awareness...the person might see their illness in a
new, more accepting light. If the ill person has less of a conviction that
illness negatively impacts their lives, their overall existence may
be significantly better, even if their symptoms don't improve.
Essences as Tools for Adjustment
There are many essences which may address adjustment to chronic or
serious illness. Just a few are below.
- Adjustment Over Time (Whole Energy Essences) is a blend which
helps us accept and flow with change, its focus being on flexibility
and staying-power for the long haul.
- Master Harmonizing Mixture (Whole Energy Essences) is a great
essence for adjusting to any change, large or small. Its focus is on
establishing and maintaining homeostasis, an ongoing achievement of
balance within an environment of constant change.
- Libra Full Moon (Protective Balm) (Whole Energy Essences)
provides an embracing and protective energy. It comforts and helps
create a sense of safety and permission to let others help us.
- Bauhinia (Australian Bush) helps support fluidity and
open-mindedness to change where rigidity or resistance are an issue.
- Bottle Brush (Australian Bush) can help with feelings of
overwhelm in major life changes, encouraging increased calm,
serenity, and coping.
- Five Corners (Australian Bush) addresses self-dislike, especially
of the physical body. If a change in health sees your self-esteem
plummet, this essence may help.
- Olive (Bach) helps in learning awareness of new limits; supports
regeneration, vitality and strength. (For an in-depth portrait of this essence,
see
our September, 2000 issue.)
- Walnut (Bach) - A serious or chronic illness may require adjustment across so many dimensions it can represent a deep life transition. Walnut is a classic for transition periods,
helping stabilize emotions and break attachments to the past.
- Willow (Bach) - Often, there are feelings that a chronic or
serious illness is unfair or unjust, which can lead to bitterness and
resentment. Willow addresses those who feel they are suffering from
misfortune.
Support for Caregivers
Chronic or serious illness doesn't just impact one person at a
time. Regardless of who receives the diagnosis, EVERYONE in the
chronically ill person's life is touched. This includes
friends, family members, and co-workers. Again, essences can be
most helpful. Many of the remedies above can be applicable to
caregivers' needs. In cases where the effects on those around the
ill person are wear-and-tear (either emotionally and/or physically),
consider these as well:
- Pale Yellow Lily (Whole Energy Essences) - "My Own Strength"
helps access to and realization of the caregiver's inner gifts and
strengths, necessary on an ongoing basis.
- Tiger Lily (Whole Energy Essences) - "Right Nourishment" -
Usually the needs of the patient come before those of the caregiver,
over time seriously depleting the latter. Tiger Lily helps caregivers
remember to include their ongoing needs in their daily activity. When
lack of rest is the particular issue, see the next essence.
- Restedness (Whole Energy Essences) - Reminds
caregivers to get the rest necessary to reflect, heal, and care for
themselves.
- Both Macrocarpa and Old Man Banksia (Australian Bush) - Renews
enthusiasm and return enjoyment to life in cases of burnout.
- Sweet Chestnut (Bach) - An "at the end of my rope" remedy. When
there is great despair and great anguish over a situation which must
be endured.
- Hornbeam (Bach) - For constant fatigue and discouragement,
inability to face the tasks of the day.
- Olive (Bach) - A classic when regeneration is needed from the
exhaustion and stress that may come from ongoing caregiving.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Bier is one of the editors of Vibration and
the maker of Whole Energy Essences. For more about her work and links
to her generous selection of previous articles in this journal, visit her
Frequent contributor Page.
ART CREDITS: The outer two layers in this treatment are based on the gorgeous
collection of butterfly photos at The
Butterfly Website. The inner layer is from an antique
glass bottle at Antique Bottle Collector's Haven.
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