Positive emotions significant boost the immune response and clinical studies have demonstrated that people who have an overall positive attitude live longer than those who don’t. When we feel happy and loving, we feel better, and our social and work relationships improve. Turner’s survivors work diligently to find ways of increasing the amount of love, joy, and happiness they feel in the present moment.

One alternative healer recommended sending love directly to the cancer cells. “Once you’re beginning to feel comfortable about non-resistance [to your cancer], your second step would be more and more of an intended feeling of love directed visually [toward your cancer].” Rather than strengthening the cancer, this approach focuses on reducing the conflict within, which can help rehabilitate the cancer cells. Deliberately appreciating the present moment and experiencing gratitude is like a dose of happiness that can become one of the most important “medicines” you can take.

It is important to realize that you do not need to feel happy all day, every day. But especially on the most difficult days it is good to find something to lift your spirits. There is definitely a tendency during this traumatic, unpredictable cancer journey to feel helplessness and despair. Purposely trying to do things each day that might bring you some amount of happiness or joy. As I can often feel more like Eyore than Tigger, it would be important to me to do what I can to facilitate the inner smile by getting in touch with gratitude and be more active in spending time with friends doing what brings joy.