The Friday podcast of the Health Matters Show featured Celeste Cooper, Part 1, in the first part of a lengthy interview that she did with me in honor of 2013 Awareness Day for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was fantastic! Today I bring you Part 2, equally fascinating material that broaches additional topics concerning awareness and how you can start to improve your health.

If you need information on who my interview guest is, please go back to “Part 1″ and check out Celeste Cooper’s credentials. This dear lady is well respected in her field!

Now it’s time to click on the audio podcast today (below) and hear her explain how she approaches chronic pain and illness, particularly in how to balance the mental, emotional and spiritual components. By successfully doing this, you and I will be better able to survive the illness while remaining happier, more well-rounded and living with less stress. All equally great goals!

(Today’s podcast is 38 minutes 56 seconds. Enjoy!)

In this, the second part of the longer interview, Celeste Cooper covers all these topics in some detail. There is certainly a lot of material here that you hopefully can relate to. Possibly, something being said and offered may help you or someone you love. That is the goal.

Points covered, such as:

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• How to better control your life and not get stuck in depression.
  
• No one wants to be around someone who is constantly complaining.
  
• Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know, the unknown. Of course, read the information that you need to know, keep up with the major literature, if you can. But, then shun much of the rest, especially if it is full of doom and gloom. You don’t need that!
  
• Don’t fear the worst will happen with your cognitive dysfunction symptoms. Yes, it’s important to respect your limits at any time, but know that better days may be ahead. You may function more clearly tomorrow.
  
• As a part of every day, find things to laugh about in yourself. Keeping a sense of humor is vital!
  
• If you don’t have it, develop the skill and wisdom of changing how you talk to yourself. What your mind tells your body, it believes!
  
• And finally, make every effort to develop your spiritual side. Without it, you’re not balanced and stable.
  

From Cinda…of all the people I’ve encountered in my journey through these illnesses, having an underlying faith and belief in a higher power is critical to getting well and staying well. My belief is in God.

In the end, acceptance of who and what you are is so very important. Believe in yourself and in the power of your body, mind and spirit to heal. In Celeste’s words, “It’s a grieving process.” We don’t all go through it at the same pace or in the same ways. Either way, you cannot afford to get stuck in a downward cycle that is ultimately negative and hurtful.

To find out more about Celeste Cooper, her website and the fantastic books she has written, visit These Three.com. I thank you for joining the Health Matters Show today. Please be sure to return here tomorrow when I feature Lori Chapo-Kroger in the last in this series of interviews and podcasts honoring and informing others about 2013 awareness and the topics so vital to each of us.

If you would do me the courtesy of commenting on the material or on what Celeste Cooper has talked us or “sharing” it on the social media websites, we both would appreciative it so much. This great lady has indeed been a fantastic and knowledgeable guest.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford

Your host for the Health Matters Show