Dealing with chronic conditions means living with a disease with no cure or antidote. It can be travelling through a tunnel and never seeing its end. These conditions tend to last a lifetime and create a sense that you are on a wellness rollercoaster.
While you may not have chosen your condition, you can choose to live your life beyond chronic illness by managing your condition with these techniques.
Steps for learning to accept chronic illness
- Learn. Learn about your condition. You can ask your doctors and nurses questions and go to trusted medical sites and those dedicated to your condition.
- Engage. Become an engaged and active participant in your medical care rather than a passive bystander. Tracking your symptoms, taking medications as prescribed, and being honest about any changes you notice are all acts of an engaged patient.
- Invest. The best thing item to invest in is your health. Almost all chronic conditions require a lifestyle change to effectively manage and control your disease. This type of investment may include healthier eating habits, exercising more, resting when needed, or practicing self-care.
- Investigate. Research your condition and medication. Doctors aren’t going to be the experts for everything. Nutritionists can help you sort out a diet that best suits your condition. Trainers can help you find exercises that do not create additional pain. Coaches can help you achieve wellness goals.
- Coordinate. In a perfect world, your various doctors would share information and not schedule you for appointments simultaneously. In reality, doctors don’t always share information or know who else is a part of your care team. Coordinate appointments and ensure everyone has the same information so they can make informed decisions with you.
- Manage. Having a routine can help you manage when you take your medication. Taking your medication as intended is essential. Make sure you know why you are taking it, when and how you should take it, and any possible side effects it may cause.
- Engage. Chronic illness can feel like a full-time job. Make sure you engage with people who are supportive and there for you. This may look like finding support groups, getting friends and family involved in lifestyle changes, or working with coaches who understand your condition.
- Plan. Needing to take multiple medications or taking them at specific times is part of being an empowered patient. Therefore, it is important to plan around your medical needs to maintain your health and wellness.
- Beware. It is not uncommon for people with chronic illnesses to experience depression. Beware of your moods and emotions, and if you should feel that you are depressed, let your doctor know.
- Balance. While it may seem like your chronic condition has taken over your entire life, it is possible to have balance. Do things that make you happy, take up a hobby, or find a new interest. You see, chronic illness is something you must live with, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
If you need help so you can live beyond chronic illness, let’s connect. Did you know that you can connect to support from anywhere? At Supportegy Wellness Coaching, we offer a variety of large group, small group, and 1:1 coaching sessions, both online and in-person. Learn more about our chronic illness wellness coaching services and start your journey to living an empowered life beyond chronic illness.