People in CBT acknowledge their challenges and establish patterns of thinking that support better mood , positive actions , and reduced suffering , using thoughts like , “ there are many things I can do today despite my pain ” and “ even though I feel challenged right now , I can use several strate‐ gies to help calm and soothe myself .”
CBT has a preventive role too : Research shows that training the brain away from stress and pain leaves you less likely to experience future pain . Simple exercises that help you focus on the positive — starting a gratitude journal , for example — can help reduce negative feelings . These techniques are evidenced-based treatments for pain .
The data is clear : These simple practical skills can be applied to harness the body ’ s potential to heal itself . The trick is to use them regularly . In doing so , hardwired “ pain reactions ” or “ stress reactions ” can be reprogrammed to support better health and wellbeing .
Reference :
Beth Darnall , PhD , is a clinical associate professor at Stan‐ ford University School of Medicine and author of The Opioid- Free Pain Relief Kit .
Emma Seppälä , Ph . D .
is a Lecturer at the Yale School of Management , Faculty Director of the Yale School of Management ' s Women ' s
Leadership Program and an international keynote speaker .