Human beings are capable of amazing resilience, but a loss of wellness can be difficult to navigate. Life can feel increasingly stressful as you juggle doctor appointments, medication regimens, and routines to manage your symptoms.
You may feel fear, anger, or sadness. And since symptoms of pain, discomfort, and fatigue are not easily visible to others, it may also be a challenge to cope with the impact of your illness on self-esteem and relationships. The good news is that there is help.
Here are 6 tips for living well with a chronic medical condition:
1. Practice self-compassion
Treat yourself like you would treat a loved one. It is easy to become self-critical when you can’t do all of the things that you want to do, but you can choose to give yourself permission to let go and accept your limitations.
2. Take care of yourself
Eat healthy meals, exercise (as your doctor permits,) get enough sleep, take a little time off from extra commitments, and spend plenty of time relaxing (ie. visit with a friend, play with a pet, take a walk or watch a favorite movie.)
3. Get your needs met in relationships:
Keep the lines of communication open and set health limits. Reframe any negative thoughts that may be holding you back from asking for what you want or need. Try positive statements like: "I deserve to have my wants and needs met," "I cannot control what others think, but I can trust myself to do what is right for me.," and "I am proud of myself for listening to my body and protecting my energy."
4. Build a strong support network
Consider joining a support group specific to your condition. Choose to spend time with the people who lift you up, while decreasing time spent with people who are not able to be supportive.
5. Focus on the positives
Write down one thing that you are grateful for each day. When we also focus on the positives, we give ourselves a break from the worry that drains us and we create more resilience for coping with any stressors that might eventually come up.
6. Seek help
If you are coping with a loss of wellness, help is available. While you may not be able to cure your illness, you can learn ways to manage stress and to begin to create more ease and happiness in living well with your condition.
To learn more about stress management treatment for chronic illness, please contact:
Dr. Kimberlie King
Center for integrative Health, LLC
(617) 812-2232