Slow Medicine: Hope & Healing for Chronic Illness

When you're suffering, you want the pain to go away as quickly as possible.

You may go to the doctor or head to your own medicine cabinet to get a "quick fix," but oftentimes the problem returns.

Dr. Michael Finkelstein was once a part of that traditional medicine, or as he calls it, "fast medicine" world. But, he became increasingly frustrated that these quick fixes continued to fail and started his own movement called slow medicine. 

Slow medicine involves a more thorough and patient approach.

It works to solve the original, root problem and improve life overall.

You may still wish for that quick fix; but it's not sustainable.

To truly heal, Dr. Finkelstein says you have to make an adjustment in the way you approach your life. All of the "craziness" in the world around us keeps us in constant fight or flight state, which then results in what Dr. Finkelstein calls "sympathetic overdrive."

What are some things you can start doing right now to slow down that overdrive?

Just as you'd be cognizant of turning the light switches off in your home to save energy, you can apply that same concept in your body. Think about times during the day when you can push the "off button."

For instance, when you wake up in the morning, take deep breaths, and give a statement of gratitude. Mid-day, get sunlight, fresh air, even rain on your face. When you get home at night, sit down and relax, breathe, nurture, and nourish yourself with a mindful meal.

Before you go to bed, take several more deep breaths and state your gratitude from the day.