As you may know, a few years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. This completely altered my life in so many ways, and I've had to learn to adapt. People often ask me how I manage, and I figured why not share my top tips for living and working with a chronic illness. But before I get into this, I need to be clear that every person is different, and what works for me may not work for you--and that's okay! Find what does work for you and do that.
Okay, so here we go...
I'm a people pleaser. I like to help others, and saying no is hard for me. And I'm notorious for offering help even when not asked -- I'm always putting myself out there. As you can imagine, this has taken a toll on me over the years. I had to learn to prioritize and say no, which I'm not going to lie... it was difficult. But for my own physical and mental health, I simply have to say no sometimes, and you know what? That's okay!
LEARN TO FORGIVE YOURSELF!
This was a big one for me, too. Anytime I'm not actively working, I feel guilty. Like, I should be writing or editing or blogging or literally anything other than sitting on the couch watching TV, or napping. But I had to take a step back and realize that doing nothing is actually doing something. I'm taking care of myself, and let's face it--if I'm not in good health, I can't do any of that other stuff. So, forgive yourself for not working every second of every day, and give yourself permission to rest when needed.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!
I know this seems like a no-brainer, but I have to remind myself of this daily. Make sure you're getting enough exercise and drinking enough water. Get plenty of sleep (when possible). Get some fresh air. Eat healthy -- in whatever context that means for you. Personally, I've found that I need to avoid too many carbs, so I tend to stick to a Keto friendly diet. And most importantly -- find something you like to do that's not related to your job. As a writer and editor, I'm always engrossed in books in some form, but lately, I've been stepping away to focus on other things: painting wooden crafts, adult coloring books, playing Solitaire on my phone. These things help me decompress, and then I tend to feel a little better.
Whether this is family or friends or an online support group, having people you can lean on and talk to is invaluable. God knows I wouldn't be as functional as I am without my husband, kids, parents, and close friends. And really, just having someone who understands what you live with every day and who you can talk to about all of it is sometimes exactly what you need.
Do you have any other tips and tricks to living with a chronic illness? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Experiment with your diet. In my case certain foods cause my Rheumatoid Arthritis to flare. I've learned to avoid most of them. I cut out everything except rice and slowly started adding foods, one at a time. I waited 3-4 days between additions. It'll be the most boring couple months of your life food wise, but it is worth it.
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