Did you know that in 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly half of all Americans – 133 million – suffered from at least one chronic health condition? Sadly, things are not improving. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that by 2020, 157 million Americans will be chronically ill. It is anticipated that those numbers will swell to 171 million by 2030.
If you currently live with a chronic health condition, it is imperative that you surround yourself with people and resources that offer hope, encouragement, and sound advice. That’s why I’d like to share a book that can make a huge difference in your outlook and the quality of your life!
The Art of Getting Well by David Spero, R.N was written to provide those who are chronically ill and the people who care for them with an empowering wellness tool. This book is filled with information that will help you to take better care of yourself and to get the help and support you need on your journey towards wellness.
One reason this book is so useful is that the author understands what it’s like to deal with chronic illness from both a medical and patient perspective. David has worked as a nurse for 35 years, and lived with M.S. for 25 years!
David believes:
No matter how difficult our lives, how blocked and defeated we seem, there is always a way forward.
It is our responsibility to minimize the damage and maximize our well-being.
When life makes us sick, we can fight back with self-care. We can change the conditions that injure us and adapt to the things we cannot change.
In The Art of Getting Well, David recommends a five-step plan to help maximize our health as we head down the road to recovery:
- Slow down.
- Make a change.
- Get help.
- Value your body and your life.
- Grow up.
Throughout the book, David expounds upon each of these steps and shows us how to put together a personal self-care plan.
What I like most about this book is that David is optimistic yet realistic; encouraging yet practical. He provides hope – but never false hope. At no time does David lead the reader to believe that implementing these steps will result in some miraculous cure. Instead, he writes:
Getting well or overcoming illness doesn’t necessarily mean cure, and it doesn’t mean living forever. Nor does it mean a list of dos and don’ts, pills to take, and foods to avoid.
It means improving our condition and gradually making our lives happier, more fulfilling.
How much our health improves depends on the severity of our illness, the conditions of our lives, and the internal and external resources we can bring to bear.
How much better we feel depends mostly on us.
I found David’s insights and experiences with maximizing health in the face of chronic illness invaluable; I read this book with red pen in hand.
If you are looking for a resource that will aid you in your quest to living a happier and more fulfilling life, even in the face of chronic illness – by all means, get this book!
For more information:
- Visit David Spero’s website!
- Read The Art Of Getting Well, Chapter One!
More Great Resources
For more great books:
- Visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews!
- Join one of our 2013 Reading Challenge!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Hunter House Publishers for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Thank you for this review. I will check this book out.
~Elizabeth
Yes, chronic illness is on the rise due mostly to environmental issues ignored by gov’ts world wide. I definitely agree with the premise of this book that only we as individuals can have a better life, a more fulfilling life, despite illness only if we are willing to work towards it.
Following from the blog hop. Wow, I have got to check this book out. We are a reasonably healthy family, but we can always use improvement. We were reminded yesterday how valuable our health is and how we sometimes take it for granted. My middle daughter went from her normal bouncy self after cheer practice to a dehydrated sickly baby in less than 11 hours. Guess we need to follow the author’s advice to slow down. cheermamadrama.blogspot.com
It’s scary when something like that happens!
David’s book is FABULOUS and how wise of you to be pro-active in your health!
Thanks for the follow. Look forward to getting to know you! 🙂
This is a great book review, and the book sounds excellent! So much of life is about accepting things we can’t change, and then learning to deal with them in a different way. Chronic disease is one of those. We can find ways to maintain and improve the quality of our life, or we can become embittered and complaining. The choice is ours!
Thank you Josie – you have a wonderful perspective on life! 🙂
Way cool. I’m heading to read Chapter 1. Thanks so much for the link!
Enjoy – I hope you get as much out of it as I did LuAnn! 🙂
I think this book review is really timely, as people start to forget about their New Year’s Resolutions and slip into bad habits again (me included!)
Yes, the only thing better than getting well is STAYING well to begin with! 🙂
Looks like an interesting book with a different perspective than I would have chosen. Look forward to seeing you again next Thirsty for Comments Thursday.
What perspective would you have chosen, Wayne?
Hello from Thursday Favorite Things. Sounds like a fantastic read. So many of us are living with chronic pain that don’t have to.
Yes – this book can benefit a lot of people! 🙂
I definitely agree that if you have a chronic condition that you need to make changes to cope with it and you need to create your own care plan. You don’t have to let it ruin or rule your life. Great review.
Visiting from SITS.
Thanks Patty for stopping by!
This is a great review! Thank you for sharing this resource. I began reading Chapter 1 and think I’ll add this to my library. In my personal journey, I’ve made #2, “Make a Change” a priority. This definitely looks like a great read!
-Danielle
@DanielleASB
http://chatteroutloud.com/
So glad you found my review beneficial!
Would love to hear your feedback on the book once you have completed it! 🙂
Wow this looks like quite some book. I like a book that is hopeful and encouraging but still keeping it real. I may buy it for my brother who has M.S. Visiting from SITS.
I came from Cym Lowell‘s Book Review Party Wednesday (BRPW)
I think in David’s 5-step plan to recovery, it is the last one that people struggle to achieve.
Cherry Mischievous
http://www.cherrymischievous.com
This sounds like a book my Mom would love, so I’ll have to get it for her. Luckily, no one in the family has a chronic illness, but I imagine that the general wisdoms in the book would be applicable to other parts of life.
Thanks and happy hopping!
Yes, it’s a great book – I hope your Mom enjoys it!
Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week Susie!
This sounds like an amazing book. The cover is lovely as well. Those chapter titles are intriguing even for someone who is relatively healthy right now — a good reminder to live life well no matter what challenges we face.
This was a fabulous book, Joy, and I am thrilled that it speaks to so many people who are healthy as well!
Thank you so much for hosting the 2013 New Year’s Challenge. I really loved connecting with you through it and feel like I’ve made a new friend!
I look forward to joining you next year in the challenge and including your blog in my “Journey” this year!