
One of the most compelling lectures I've heard so far in my health coach training was delivered by Dr. Lissa Rankin. Lissa Rankin is a New York Times best-selling author and has been on a life-long quest to understand the mysteries of healing.
One story she told was about the people of Roseto, Pennsylvania, a small town of Italian immigrants. Back in 1961, a couple of local doctors started talking over a few beers about the low incidence of heart disease in this community. Further investigation revealed that although the members of this community had a lifestyle that was at odds with this result - they drank a lot, smoked a lot, ate a lot of sausage and cheese and the men worked in quarries where they became ill from gases and dust - the town had very little crime and very few requests for public assistance. Their lower rate of heart disease, which would become known as "the Roseto effect" was attributed to their close-knit community and, subsequently, lower rates of stress. The people lived close together and there was little pressure to "keep up with the Joneses." The elders of the community were respected and included in community life. No one was lonely.
While they didn't have the perfect diet or an easy life, the people of Roseto, PA were RICH in primary food. They had strong connections to community and solid relationships.
After sharing this story, Lissa noted that the body's self-healing mechanisms can only work when the body is in relaxation response - a state of being that is made more possible when one feels connected and has strong relationships. She shared that lonely people are more at risk for getting sick than people who smoke or don't exercise. Read that again. Lonely people are more at risk for getting sick than people who smoke or don't exercise.
In her many years of work with patients seeking healing, Lissa has noticed that people have keen intution and are able to write their own prescriptions to reduce their symptoms but that many people choose to stay sick rather than make the scary lifestyle choices they know are needed.
Does this sound like you? Does it sound like someone you know?
Could you write your own prescription? Not sure where to start?
Ask yourself these questions:
What does your body need in order to heal?
What is your body saying no to?
Photo: My relationship with my partner, TJ, has been an integral part of my healing as a human. I am so grateful for this relationship and this love. If it all imploded tomorrow, the healing I have experienced would maintain. This relationship is one of the most nourishing primary foods I've ever had.
Aw, I love this picture!
Yes, true connections are so important. The past few months have been challenging for me, probably some of the most challenging months in my life. I’ve realized, however, that this is the least lonely I’ve ever felt. I’m surrounded by close friends and family who truly understand and support me. I hope I’ve been or can be as supportive to them as well.
My body needs me to eat more fish and meatless meals a week, in order, to heal. And more whole foods-fresh veggies. I know from the past that eating this way gives me more energy and gives me an overall feeling of contentment. I relax when I eat this way because I'm filling up on good things, whereas when I eat lots of carbs, I'm feeling anxious about my blood sugar levels and lack of energy. I think relying on carbs is something I do because I've always eaten this way and it's easier trying out new recipes. So, healing comes from eating well. Healing for me has also come from my friends. I have a circle of frien…