Speaking clean. 

Months and months went by before I learned the concept of speaking positively about my illness...now I don't just mean to others, I mean to myself as well.  I would tell myself that this was not easy, this wasn't fun, I am sick, I am ill, I'm never going to heal, I'm going to die, why me?, I'm too young for this....I didn't realize that by telling myself these things I was creating the "reality" and also creating a permanent state of "chronic illness" in my body.

I would get quite aggravated by others telling me not to be so negative.  I focused so much on battling others opinions of myself and my situation that I stayed in a negative state of mind...for 3 looooooooooong years. 

It wasn't until someone brought to my attention that "speaking clean" is actually a method of healing and can literally change the chemistry in your body to prepare itself to heal and the immune system can kick into overdrive.  WOW!  I had no idea these two were related. 

Negative thoughts and talking produce dangerous levels of "Cortisol" in the body
As I moved through my research and study I found out that thinking negative thoughts and saying negative things to myself and others actually increases the amount of cortisol production in the body. 

In case you don't know what cortisol is, it is hormone that is naturally produced by the body. Normal levels of Cortisol are supposed to convert proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteract inflammation.

On the other end of the spectrum having continuous high cortisol levels in the body destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. (Wow sounds like I am adding more fuel to my "toxic mold" fire? you think?).
 

Positive thoughts and talking produce high levels of "Oxytocin" in the body

After realizing that negative actions were a part of my illness I then decided to research what happens to the body when I say positive things, believe positive things and speak "clean" around me.

Thinking positively, speaking positively and speaking to ones self positively produce high levels of Oxytocin in the body.  If you are not sure what Oxytocin is, it is hormone that is naturally produced by the body. Normal levels of Cortisol are supposed to convert proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteract inflammation.

On the other end of the spectrum having continuous high cortisol levels in the body destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. (Wow sounds like I am adding more fuel to my "toxic mold" fire? you think?).

After realizing that negative actions were a part of my illness I decided to research what happens to the body when I say positive things, believe positive things and speak "clean" around me.

Speak healing and positive words to others about your illness and to yourself even when the symptoms seem unbearable. 

Here are some positive things you can say instead of the things above: 

1. Today is a new day
2. I love myself
3. _____________ makes me happy
4. This is going to get easier
5. I can still have fun...let me go watch something funny so I can laugh
6. I won't be ill for that long
7. I'm going to heal very soon
8. I still have my whole life ahead of me...I just need some downtime right now..it's good for me.
    

• Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.   ~ Proverbs 12:18
• A cheerful heart is good medicine…   ~ Proverbs 17:22
• A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.  ~ Proverbs 15:30
• Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.     ~ Ephesians 4:29

Jennifer is the founder of Surviving Toxic Mold and was exposed to toxic mold from 2010-2012 in a rental home.  You can read her story HERE

Sources: The Destructive Effects of High Cortisol Levels, by Marcelle Pick, OB-GYN NP, This Bliss Hormone Can Heal Your Body: The Many Benefits of Oxytocin. , What is Oxytocin?