A Plus Attitudes

Guest post by: Sheila of wellsheila.net

I am thrilled to be featuring a guest writer, Sheila of wellsheila.net and honored that Sheila recently approached me about writing an article for my blog.

Sheila and I share a passion for health and wellness and when Sheila proposed writing this article, I thought it was a good complement to my blog.

If you or someone you are close to is struggling with a chronic illness, I hope you find this article helpful and informative.

Please make sure to check out Sheila’s website and blog at wellsheila.net for more health and wellness tips.

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Living with a chronic condition can be frustrating and exhausting, especially since many chronic illnesses don’t have a cure. When you’re tasked with finding a way to manage your symptoms in order to feel better, it’s important to think holistically. This means you’ll need to create healthy routines that focus on all aspects of your health, including your diet, sleep routine, and stress management tactics. Visit A Plus Attitudes for tips on how to live holistically and integrate a plant-based diet into your lifestyle, and don’t forget to make sure your environment is conducive to healthy living.

Take a good look at your home

Apartment Therapy notes that your home should be a place of comfort where you can relax and feel safe, and sometimes living with a chronic health condition means your environment needs to change. You may be able to make some accessibility modifications, but these can be costly. Depending on the challenges you face every day, your current surroundings may not work for you anymore, so consider looking for a home that meets all your needs. 

When looking at new properties, think about your mobility and how it may change in the coming years; a one-story home with stepless thresholds is a great way to go. Before you jump into the home buying process, take some time to find out how to get pre-approved for a loan and work up a realistic budget. Talk to a real estate agent who can help you begin the search in a great neighborhood; they’ll be able to narrow down the best homes for your needs.

Check your stress levels

Whether you’re house hunting or dealing with problems at work, combining life decisions with a chronic illness can bring on more stress than you can handle. For instance, if you’re self-employed, navigating insurance options can be quite a burden. This goes for health and life insurance. Find out what alternatives are out there so you can make an informed decision and get coverage so you won’t have to worry about that aspect of your life.

Also, practicing self-care is an easy way to recharge and let go of a long day; consider treating yourself to a massage or simply practicing meditation for a while to let go of negativity. You can also look for ways to prevent stress from taking over, such as by getting organized at work and at home and creating routines to ensure that you’re able to sleep and eat well. When you take care of your body, your mental health gets the benefits, too.

Overhaul your diet and exercise routines

A major part of taking care of your body is making sure that the foods you eat and the exercises you practice are the best for your needs. Talk to your doctor to work out a nutritional plan with your condition in mind; ask about vegetarian options, as plant-based diets are often utilized to help lessen chronic pain and promote healing according to Harvard Medical School. If you have compromised mobility, you should also talk to your healthcare provider about an exercise routine that will work for you. Consider yoga, which can be adapted and can be gentle enough for many different types of abilities. 

Get support

While taking care of yourself is a priority, it’s also important to get support from friends and loved ones. Individuals who are living with a chronic condition often feel a frustrating lack of empathy and understanding from the people around them because their illness doesn’t always exhibit outward symptoms; you can combat this by talking about your condition and educating others about its effects. You can also look for a counselor or support group made up of people who understand exactly what you’re going through.

Getting a chronic illness diagnosis can be tough, but the good news is there are several things you can do to manage your symptoms and prevent them from becoming overwhelming. Keep communication open with your healthcare provider so they can help you along the way.