Living Well With Chronic Conditions
Getting through the day with a chronic condition can feel like you are in survival mode. Lack of answers or being told you will just need to learn to live with your condition can lead to feelings of frustration, hopelessness, depression, and fear.
Have you ended up in the emergency room because you had no where else to turn? You are not alone. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 44% of adults in this country over the age of 20 are living with one of the ten most popular chronic conditions. This percentage increases with age, and one-third of seniors are living with two or more chronic conditions.
Life is not just about surviving—quality of life is so important. Here are some ways to help you make the shift to living well and finding enjoyment in daily life while living with one or more chronic conditions:
1. Self-compassion
Do you feel guilty when you take time to rest or say no to requests from others? Say yes to yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat a family member or a friend. We tend to feel guilty saying no to others. One thing to keep in mind is that with every time we say yes to someone else, we may be saying no to ourselves.
2. Advocate for your needs
You are the expert on your body and your chronic condition. Your symptoms may not align with the typical presentation and you may not respond to mainstream treatments. It does not mean something is wrong with you, though it may take you a bit longer to find a health professional with the expertise to support your needs. Keep asking for answers and referrals. Roadblocks along the way can be extremely frustrating—even infuriating. Hang in there. Keep pushing for what you need and ask a family member or friend for support if you feel too tired or discouraged to do it on your own.
3. Listen to your body
Sometimes your body needs more rest than usual, and sucking it up and pushing through can result in a symptom flare up that is hard to settle down. Extra stresses—even exciting events like a family wedding—can tax your system. Weather changes, such as the transition to fall we are experiencing now, can impact our nervous systems and increase body pain. Listen to your body and take note of early indicators that you need extra rest and recharge. Early intervention and being proactive is key to comfort.
4. Explore other treatment options
Managing chronic conditions can involve trial and error in order to find out what your body responds to. There are many options besides medications for symptom management including visualization/imagery, breathing techniques, meditation, tapping, music, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage, and more. Therapeutic approaches, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can help you break your pain cycle and manage discomfort.
For more information on living well with chronic conditions, book a free consultation or contact Tonia at tonia@toniaandersonpsychology.ca