Living Well with Chronic Pain and Illness

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In the book, "How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide," author Toni Bernhard addresses a broad range of topics and how the practices of mindfulness, equanimity, and self-compassion can make life as good and joyful as possible in the face of a diagnosis like Parkinson’s. During this webinar, Toni discussed what she’s learned about living with chronic pain and illness and how to live well no matter what obstacles you are facing.

[@FishNassau]

Thank you for this video. Toni Bernhard is a helpful and generous person to many of us in difficult situations.

[@RamonaMcKean]

Bless you, dear Toni Bernhard❣️ You have certainly helped me stay somewhat sane in the midst of dysfunction and pain.

[@Olav3D]

The spinning tales part is so true, truly the worst part of the pain!

[@Lionforaday]

What a treat to find this long, insightful interview with Toni Bernhard. I'm sure I've ordered dozens of copies of her books over the years! I have mixed feelings when I hear the term "long COVID." I feel empathy for anyone suffering, and of course it's frightening to be ill with something still poorly understood. Then there's a part of me, I admit - and I've also heard this from several chronically ill patients - that thinks, what's so "long" about "long COVID"?! For those who've been ill for decades, it's hard hearing people still ill - what? months? - after contracting the novel coronavirus. In fact, there are many viruses which result in protracted recoveries, and some from which people never seem to recover. Epstein-Barr virus comes to mind - we all know of some young person that "lost a year of college to mono." By age 40, nearly all of us will be exposed to EBV, yet for most, it's indistinguishable from a cold. Others (usually teens and young adults) develop the syndrome known as "mono," and some take many months - even years - to recover. Post-viral syndromes aren't new. Consider those diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (jokingly/insensitively termed "yuppie flu"), ill for years, and prescribed "graded exercise" and "talk therapy." And sure, there's hardly anyone (sick or not) who wouldn't benefit from being more active, or learning better coping skills. To sufferers though, "exercise and therapy" sounds a lot like being told, "you're a bit lazy and a bit crazy." So while I feel for those at the start of any "illness journey," and while I hope that "long COVID" proves not to be very long, the one benefit to all this may be resources directed towards research into post-viral syndromes. Because long before "long COVID," there were thousands with CFS suffering silently - not for months, and not for a year, but for many years of their lives.

[@Olav3D]

I am in month 3 of mono right now and a 27 year old. I know there are people with much longer lasting deceases, but it has really been a test for my mental health, that is for sure. So much pain and exhaustion! The uncertainty of how long it will last scares me a lot. But I try to not focus on that and learn how to deal with the pain from this video. I think it is a useful skill to know not just to get through this how ever long it takes, but to get through all the pain as we get older.

[@misovuletic]

You are 100% sure. I prooved that EBV and other viruses are skyrocketing in my blood. My life is ruined, I can not function normaly. Unfortunatelly

[@BABYRNG]

YOO I LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS EVERY VIDEO MAKE ME LAUGH YOU'RE REAL TO ME I LOVE HOW YOU POST EVERYDAY. YOU PUT ME ON MY GRIND I POST GREAT VIDEO (ROAD TO 2K).. ..

[@janedarby7521]

It is the same for me.

[@lozhunter9575]

some of us dont speak to ourselves? what is this, WHEN DO WE GET TO MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN, they say screaming out loud helps with pain

[@lozhunter9575]

for toni and her family yes they want her better but what has this to do with chronic pain in others, it seems like clap trap. Real pain when it is 10:10 you take pain relief and lay very very still

[@lozhunter9575]

I would much prefer a doctor and a physio and occupational therapist working as a team with solutions of getting out of pain, like the woman said her shoulder hurts so dont annoy it and try using it cos it will hurt more

[@lozhunter9575]

36: minutes to get to pain

[@lozhunter9575]

oh now we are on prisons - PAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN and managing it

[@lozhunter9575]

dont try to please other people, if your pain is so high, go to bed take pain meds and stop over thinking and talking to yourself