The constant fatigue. The pain. The brain fog. The struggle day to day. You wish it wasn’t your “normal,” but it is. The number of times you’ve had to cancel plans with family, friends, or loved ones is more than you’d like to admit. You’ve exhausted your sick days, you’ve missed out on opportunities and you always seem to be wondering when enough is enough.
You’re tired, sad, stressed out, anxious, and feel like trash. And that’s putting it lightly.
Let’s be honest. Chronic illnesses suck. No matter how your chronic illness manifests or affects you, visibly or invisibly, you know the pain of missing out on life. You also know that your chronic illness can have a significant impact on your mental health.
As someone who has a chronic illness, I know how debilitating it can be, mentally, physically, and emotionally. And as much as I wish I could give you a simple answer to making it “all better,” I can’t. BUT, what I can do is give you a few tips to help manage your day-to-day, to make things just a little easier, a little lighter, and a little brighter.
Advocate for Yourself
This is easier said than done, but oh so important. Advocating for yourself with your healthcare providers is vital and the only way you can get the best care. Instead of attending each appointment and passively listening to your doctors, try to be an active participant. Go into every appointment with a list of questions prepared in advance and write down responses. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re unsure about something or aren’t totally on board.
If you aren’t completely happy with the care you are receiving, don’t be afraid to do your research and look at other options. If you aren’t able to do these things by yourself, bring a loved one, a family member, or a trusted friend to help advocate for you.
Advocate for Yourself
This is easier said than done, but oh so important. Advocating for yourself with your healthcare providers is vital and the only way you can get the best care. Instead of attending each appointment and passively listening to your doctors, try to be an active participant. Go into every appointment with a list of questions prepared in advance and write down responses. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re unsure about something or aren’t totally on board.
If you aren’t completely happy with the care you are receiving, don’t be afraid to do your research and look at other options. If you aren’t able to do these things by yourself, bring a loved one, a family member, or a trusted friend to help advocate for you.
Keep a Medical Journal
Keeping a medical journal helps keep the guesswork out of your chronic illness. By keeping note of all your medications, natural supplements, medical appointments, and medical procedures and your responses to all of them (for example, the benefits and side effects,) you can start to gain a sense of “control” over your illness.* Be sure to include dates, medication start and stop times, as well as any particular notes that you feel are important to you and your health. A medical journal can be a great tool in helping you communicate more effectively with your healthcare team
*Please Note: I completely understand that many chronic illnesses, such as migraine, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s Disease, and others are sometimes not entirely predictable and that there may be little that you can do to “control” it. A medical journal may help you to gain a better understanding and sense of your illnesses’ patterns, triggers, and progress.*
Make Time for Self-Care
Self-care, self-care, self-care! I will continue to scream it to the mountain tops if I have to!
You. Absolutely. Positively. Must. Make. Time. For. Yourself. Now.
Got it? (Don’t worry, I’ll keep pushing it in your face!)
If you can’t prioritize self-care, then you can’t even begin to manage your chronic illness. Self-care, whatever that means for you, whether it’s a bath in the middle of the day or a 20-minute break for the latest episode of your favorite show, is essential to help keep your head above water. Here are a few self-care tips that might resonate with you:
- Use positive affirmations on a daily basis to keep your mind strong and uplifted, even when things feel overwhelming.
- Practice calming relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
- Schedule two activities per week that contribute to your well-being but are not medically related. For example: take a walk, meet with someone for a meal, spend time with a friend or family member, etc, and put them on a calendar to hold yourself accountable. If you do both activities during the week reward yourself (yup, you heard right, reward yourself for taking care of yourself!)
Therapy for Migraines and Other Chronic Illnesses in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dealing with a chronic illness isn’t easy. It’s the awful icing on the cake of life, and we all know life doesn’t always go smoothly. But, hopefully, these small steps can make it all just a little more manageable. Advocating for yourself, keeping a medical journal, and prioritizing self-care are just a few ways you can start to slow down the chaos of living a life with a chronic illness.
Remember most of all, that you’re not alone. I’m right here in this boat with you and I’m here to help. We all need a helping hand sometimes. If I can help fortify your mind, the stronger your body will be, and the higher quality of life you’ll have.
Together, we can do this.
You Know That Nagging, Voice of Self-Doubt in Your Head? Tell It to Shut Up.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas through telehealth counseling via online video and phone sessions. She also provides coaching services to clients throughout the country via online video and phone sessions. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
