With Grace and Grit - Life with Chronic Illness
It’s hard to feel productive when you’re too tired to do anything. So when your body demands a break, take the opportunity to boost your mental wellness.
Have you ever felt like your brain wanted to do something but your body wouldn’t cooperate? I have. So. Many. Times. Like many other types of chronic illness, my autoimmune disease is unpredictable. It seems like it’s unpredictability is the only predictable thing about it.
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Joining a support group can help you feel understood and give you a sense of belonging. It’s another strategy for living well when you are chronically ill.
How did you feel when you received your diagnosis? Alone? Confused? Afraid? I know I did. There is almost nothing more emotionally isolating than facing a disease that you have very little (if any) control over. This is true whether it’s a chronic illness that can be managed, or an acute illness that is severe and threatens your life.
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Is a six foot distance enough? Does wearing a mask make a difference? Do I need to sanitize my groceries? Who knows! What I do know is that there are ways of managing COVID-19 anxiety.
I admit it. I’ve spent hours nervously curled up on my sofa worrying about a virus I may (or may not) ever get. And I only have so much control over that – unless I live alone, leave only when necessary and take every precaution short of donning a hazmat suit. Note to self: the hand sanitizer must have a minimum alcohol content of 60%, of course.
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We never think of long-term disease as a gift. But gratitude is the gift of chronic illness.
I intended to write about the anxiety of being among the “highly vulnerable” during a pandemic. But the truth is that I spent most of the morning writing a COVID-19 article for work – addressing how employers can plan for the challenges of a gradual return business as usual. Frankly, I’m drained. I’ve spent way too much emotional currency today thinking and worrying about this damn virus.
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There are two simple strategies for self-care that you can use to reduce anxiety and improve your well-being.
Take care of yourself. How many times have you heard this expression? If you’re chronically ill, I’ll wager that you’ve heard it a lot. But what does it really mean? How do you define self-care?
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