Unexpected Life Events Can Damage Health

Large tree uprooted in a major storm event

We can be surprised by major life events. Research has found that life crises can have a physical impact on our health. Life events that are painful both physically and mentally arise and rarely can we control their fall out and even know how we will respond, often without acknowledging any chronic health problems that we may already be living with.

I have learned from clients that sometimes we can look ahead and make plans that will help us make life transitions easier, and as much as possible reduce the amount of stress endured.

When I talk about making plans this has to include the ability to foresee and recognize negative impacts as opposed to putting our proverbial head in the sand.

Picture of man with his head in the sand with a sign saying plan for future health

Impact of Major Life Crises

Major life Events: -

Retirement

How will you handle your pain, anxiety and other health issues linked to getting older? This can include the need for social interaction, dependency on health services with lack of financial resources as no longer fully employed.

If you already have a health condition chronic disease or mental health issues planning ahead for known life changes could lessen their impact.

Loss of a loved one

As we age, we will lose more family members and friends. How do we prepare for those losses?

It's easy to understand that loss can impact us emotionally and create mental health issues, if not mental health crises. Unfortunately, research shows that major life events can prompt the development of physical illness, chronic conditions that have to be managed.

Life Crises can cause Physical Illness

This research done by Ian Hislop, a Australian gastroentrologist who worked in Perth and also did research at South Adelaide Hospital, documents how life events can actually cause a phyical illness.

It's interesting to look at a scenario in a non-health example, financial advice to protect our lifestyle. Generally, we are told to keep easy to access savings that will provide a minimum of three months expense payments.

How do we make the equivalent of this preparation for our health?

I propose the answer to this is we don't!

Many of us just live our lives often without due consideration for our health. Many of us hear health messages, we know how we should look after ourselves such as: -

o stop smoking.

o reduced alcohol

o exercise or move more.

o eat a healthy diet without processed foods.

o diet that includes vegetables, lots of them.

With preparation and improvement of our general health, regardless of any chronic pain, anxiety or disabilities, we can to some extent improve our resilience when 'stuff' happens.

Stories of Unexpected Life Events

Story One

A friend's teenage daughter met some relatives for the first time. They got on so well that the daughter decided to move to live closer to these recently discovered relatives. However, the relatives lived on the other side of the world.

While my friend was supportive of the move, the sudden empty nest was a surprise. It wasn't expected for another four or five years or more!

Story Two

In one week, two different older couples came to my clinic. Both wives were very stressed and overwhelmed. Health issues were starting to emerge. Another common part of these consultations was that their husbands were with them ,that doesn't happen very often.

But I soon found out why.

Both husbands had retired, happily looking forward to their new life. Their idea of a happy retirement was having the opportunity of spending time with their wife.

That proposed togetherness was the problem.

These wives had not planned to change their lives: -

o They had their friends.

o Their hobbies.

o Their fitness classes or clubs.

o Part time paid or voluntary work.

They were not suddenly ready for

o Let's go out to lunch today.

o Why don't we go to that new movie.

No thanks replied, the wives “I have my life.”

Into this mix add any possible health problems, chronic diseases, or pain and the conversations and managing expectations become difficult if not overwhelming.

Therefore, I return to the title of this article the need to plan for certain life events.

How can this life event planning be done?

It's a process that will be different depending on family or personal circumstances.

The stories above illustrate a new type of health prevention - planning for major live events - before they happen.

If changes are considered and ideas discussed, then possible plans could be put on the shelf for when these certain events happen.

Here are two examples of thought-out plans.

First example, a woman in her early 60’s.

When the stroke of her husband, who did recover, brought discussion of retirement forward by years. The next stage of life, what had been seen as something that might happen in years had suddenly been brought forward by at least a decade.

Their first idea was a move to the country. They would move from town to be with their grandchildren as they really enjoyed spending time with them.

Then on reflection: -

o We're getting older already with some health issues developing.

o Their grandchildren were already entering their teenage years.

o They would both be isolated away from town services and friends as they got older.

Planning changed to:

o Building a new house close to the city.

o They chose to build near the beach where they both loved to be.

A second example of forward planning.

This concerns the inevitable loss of family members. After losing several family members over a short time. It had been a challenging time both physically and mentally.

Now in present time, an elderly, well-loved family member is deteriorating in residential care. It was time to get help and support from a counsellor before the inevitable life event affected all of the family.

Conclusion

Life events are difficult, but thoughtful planning and sharing ideas can help. All of us experience life altering major events. It may be new to you that research now shows the impact of such major life events can cause physical health problems. For those people who have chronic disease such as chronic pain and diseases that can worsen with age it could be worth taking time to look ahead to your future.

Jean Jordan – Pain Coach & Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner.

Heaps of ideas can be found in the articles on my website.

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After over 20 years of owning pain clinics pain clinics, I started Natural Pain Solutions to reach more people, rather than one person at a time.

After studying Postgraduate Pain Management & Freedom from Chronic Pain with Howard Schubiner, I want to spread the word about holistic self-help techniques people can use at home.