Healing from ME/CFS: How Acknowledgment, Mental Health, and the Mind–Body Connection Support Recovery

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, psychologist Samia Estrada sits down with mind–body practitioner Mel Abbott to explore the reality of living with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and the path to recovery. Mel shares her powerful story of battling chronic illness for over a decade, the importance of acknowledgment in the healing process, and how the mind–body connection plays a vital role in recovery.

We discuss the role of mental health in chronic illness, how stress impacts the nervous system, and why acknowledgment and support are essential first steps toward healing. Mel also highlights the importance of lifestyle medicine—stress management, healthy relationships, and self-care—in creating lasting change.

If you or a loved one are searching for hope, inspiration, and practical strategies for managing chronic illness, this conversation offers a compassionate and evidence-based look at what’s possible on the journey to healing.