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Home > Chronic and Serious Illness > Living Well

Five Factors Influence Recovery

By Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT

While cause and treatment of any disease are highly complex, we can definitely say that physical well-being depends upon five factors, some of which, such as genetic make-up, are beyond your ability to change, but others, such as diet, are clearly within your power to do something about.

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1. Past - and UNCHANGEABLE - Physical Factors

Genetic predisposition

Exposure to environmental risks

General health and vitality

Diet

Alcohol consumption

Smoking

Type of disease

Stage of disease at time of diagnosis

Age at onset of disease

Type of medical treatment up to present

2. Past - and UNCHANGEABLE - Non-Physical Factors

Ability to relax and reduce stress

Regular use of imagery and meditation techniques

Sense of well-being

Sense of control and purpose in life

Social support

Coping techniques and skill in dealing with challenges

3. Current - and CHANGEABLE - Physical Factors

Exposure to environmental risks

Healthy Diet

Moderate or no alcohol consumption

No smoking

Exercise

Comprehensive medical treatment

4. Current - and CHANGEABLE - Non-Physical Factors

Coping skills

Reaction to stressors

Use of relaxation, imagery and meditation techniques

Knowing self-care techniques for symptoms and side effects

Sense of self

Sense of purpose in life

Social support

Coping techniques and skill in dealing with challenges

5. UNQUANTIFIABLE -- and CHANGEABLE -- Factors

Will to live

Hope

Faith

Spiritual perspective

Note that there is more than one thing you can do to affect health. Recognizing these factors can give you something to focus upon beyond your concern about recovery.

© Copyright 1998, Revised 2002, Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT To Top of Page

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