The research findings and life experiences of the fore mentioned authors yield excellent insights regarding the concept of hope and how our understanding of it is evolving. Their proposed definitions of hope prompt some challenging questions:
Is hope a place one can visit, or is hope a state of mind?
Is hope a place one can stay and linger easily, or it is a job – an action that one needs to take to stay and labor in it?
Is hope something that can be taught?
Can hope be quantified?
In this essay, we focus on the concept of hope and what our bodies undergo both psychologically and physiologically when dealing with chronic illness. We offer suggestions for applying positive thought changes, along with lifestyle self-care strategies, to better cope with illness, instill hope, and live an improved quality of life. Finally, we will discuss how feelings of hope and implementing positive changes can literally change brain physiology, supporting the idea that hope can be an “antibiotic” to improve symptoms of physical illness.
Hope is not something tangible that you can touch, or hand to someone. It is not something that can be taken in a pill form when we are sick. Hope is a mindset—a very specific mindset, based on determination, motivation, goals and often grit. It is not about being blissfully naive or having wistful positive thoughts. Hope is larger and more substantive than that. Hope is more likely to be attained if one determines a specific and intentional goal, and then can clearly and systematically define the thought pathways to get there. Ultimately, hope is about having the will and motivation to stay on one’s path no matter what. This is what opens the doorway to hope and keeps it open. Interestingly, there has been much research done on the role that hope plays in the outcome of individuals with chronic conditions, physical illness, mental illness and trauma. This research often concerns whether persons are experiencing a crisis of the spirit, mind or body. The feeling of hope, in many cases, is what separates the survivors from the victims.
