A New Way To Relate To Chronic Symptoms

This short talk offers a compassionate, neuroscience-informed perspective on living with chronic symptoms. It reframes symptoms as signals from an overworked nervous system rather than signs of weakness or something “wrong” with you. Listeners will learn how curiosity, gentleness, and small regulation practices can reduce fear and ease the body’s protective responses. The goal is to help you feel more supported, empowered, and less alone in your experience.

Transcript

Hi,

My name is Nora.

This will be a short talk on the new way to relate to chronic symptoms.

Living with ongoing chronic symptoms,

Whatever their cause,

Can be draining and discouraging.

I speak from personal experience.

I've spent over five years living with chronic pain from a car accident,

Chronic insomnia,

And chronic GI issues.

You might feel frustrated or scared or tired of being in a body that doesn't always cooperate.

If that's you,

You're not doing anything wrong.

You are human.

One of the most supportive things you can do is soften the way you speak to yourself when symptoms arise.

Instead of tensing,

Bracing,

Or blaming your body,

You might gently acknowledge what you're feeling.

This is hard.

I'm here with myself.

I don't have to handle this perfectly.

This shift in tone doesn't try to fix anything.

It just reduces the extra pressure we often put on ourselves.

When symptoms like pain show up,

Our instinct is often to push them away or fight them.

But sometimes,

Giving the sensation a little extra space can make the moment easier to bear.

You might place a hand somewhere that feels comforting or take one slow exhale.

Or notice one thing in the room that brings you some joy.

These small gestures remind your body that you are not at war with yourself.

You may not be able to control when symptoms come or go,

But you can choose the attitude you bring to each moment.

A little less pressure.

Just 1%.

A little more kindness.

A little more patience.

These softenings don't erase symptoms,

But they can make the experience feel less overwhelming.

Whatever you're living with,

You deserve gentleness from the world and from yourself.

You're doing your best,

And that is enough.