The Body/Mind Health Corner™

with Steven Rogat

June/July 2004

Dear Steve:

Recently, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I’ve been having trouble down there for the past six months. The doctor tells me that some of it is stress. But, I can’t figure out what that could be. Things have been going good lately. I’m 32 years old. I live in a nice home with my wife and two kids – 4 years old and 2 years old. I got a promotion and raise at my job about 9 months ago, and feel good about that. I exercise regularly. I even meditate a few times a week.

Feeling bad about feeling bad,
Paul
Wilimington, NC

Dear Paul:

With IBS, you let things build up and build up, and then let
them go all at once. You are someone who works best under pressure, letting things accmulate, then switching into high gear, and taking care of response-ablilities all at once. You let things “irritate” you before completing them and letting them go. The new responsibilities at work and within the family may have triggered this pattern. This could stem from your early years this lifetime, possibly avoiding responsibility as long as you could. Also, you could have had things “dumped” on you all at once.

Set priorities. Break major responsibilities down into small steps, and pace yourself. What CAN be done now, so things don’t build up until the last minute?

Positive Thought To Manifest: I release the past, and I acknowledge my successes everyday.

Even the little accomplishments can feel good,
Steve

________________

Dear Steve:

My husband is worried about heart problems. He is 49 years old. His father died of a heart attack at age 50, his sister at age 43. He already thinks he had a minor heart attack several years ago. He’s watching his weight, exercising, and taking aspirin and cholesterol medication. I work part-time out of the home with my own business, and he helps with that. He has a good job with good pay. We’ve lived in the same home for 15 years, slowly remodeling and adding on. We have two kids, one 12, the other 18. I’m worried, mostly because he is so worried and stressed out about his health, even though presently, his health is real good.

Starting to get worried myself,
Patti
Memphis, TN

Dear Patti:

We’ve all heard about the “Type A” personality: a bit aggressive, over-achieving, and stressed with workaholic tendencies. Your husband may have some of these characteristics. However, I’ve discovered a different approach to explaining heart conditions. The heart deals with acceptance — mainly accepting one’s limitations. When someone has a hard time accepting his own limitations, he will respond by either giving up so he doesn’t reach those limits, or he will “become” a Type A, constantly trying to get past limitations. He has to take care of everything and everyone himself! His motto is "if you want something done right, do it yourself.” A heart attack forces the patient to NOT take care of everything and everyone himself. It forces him to accept help from others, to be “taken care of.” It forces him to delegate responsibilities, and not look over the person’s shoulder to make sure things are done right. What a wonder it would be to learn how to do this without the heart attack!

Positive Thought To Manifest: I safely accept myself. I allow myself to accept others.

Everyone is the best at what they do,
Steve