How To Live A Healthy Life With Chronic Illness
How Do You Stay Healthy With Chronic Illness?
Living with a chronic illness can certainly challenge our ideas of what “healthy” means and how to make it happen. But here's the good news: it is absolutely possible to live a healthy lifestyle while managing a chronic condition. While the path may look different for each individual, the fundamentals of wellness remain consistent.
It's important to recognize that health and wellness are not black-and-white concepts, especially when living with a chronic illness.
It becomes important to create flexible and supportive wellness routines that work for you and your symptom cycle, knowing that a picture of perfect health might not be the end result.
In this post, we'll explore how you can take proactive steps to build healthy habits, effectively advocate for yourself, and practice self-compassion—all critical components of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with chronic illness.
1. Building Healthy Habits
The foundation of living well with a chronic illness lies in establishing habits that support your underlying health and wellness. Here's how:
sleep and rest
Quality sleep is crucial for everyone, especially for those managing chronic conditions. When we sleep, our body repairs itself. Whether you are working on getting a certain number of hours of sleep a night or creating a bedtime routine that helps you wind down, building healthy sleep habits can help with your overall health and chronic illness management.
While sleep is important, let's not forget about rest! Taking moments to rest during your day and finding moments to relax can also be important self-care. This is particularly important when your body is signaling that it needs a break.
Movement and exercise
While exercise needs can vary based on your condition, some form of physical activity is typically beneficial. Whether it's a daily walk, stretching, or light strength training, movement can enhance your overall well-being. For most of my clients, exercise in some form bolsters both their physical and mental health. Of course, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to consider what type of movement is safe for you.
Nutrition, Hydration, Medication, and Supplementation
Most of my clients end up working on establishing habits related to nutrition and hydration. Whether it is tracking water intake or incorporating certain provider prescribed nutrients, making sure our bodies have fuel is a foundational part of living a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, many of my clients work on building habits around taking medications and supplements as prescribed by their healthcare providers. Sometimes, the timing can be difficult to navigate. So, we work together to figure out a plan to make it work in daily life and how to remember to make it happen!
Stress Reduction, Mindfulness, and Meditation
I don’t need to tell you that living with a chronic illness can be stressful. This is all the more reason that stress management techniques are vital. Stress can tend to negatively impact our health. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help to counter stress by calming your mind. Even a few minutes of deep breathing exercises can make a significant difference. Our bodies can only turn on their repair mode when they are relaxed.
For related reading on these fundamental healthy habits, check out these blog posts,
Wellness Is Not All-Or-Nothing When Living With Chronic Illness
Wellness & The Chronic Illness Journey: The Good, The Bad, The Reality
When Your Chronically Well Goal Is A Practice Rather Than A Result
2. Self-Advocacy
Being your own advocate is essential to living a healthy life with chronic illness. Since you know your situation better than anyone else, taking an active role in getting the support you need can be game-changing. It can positively impact your healthcare and daily life. Here’s how:
Self-Advocacy In Healthcare
Navigating the healthcare system can be daunting, making self-advocacy the key to getting what you need. It is important to find medical professionals who listen to and respect your concerns and help to find the right treatment for you. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, it is important to have a healthcare team that you trust.
In addition, integrative healthcare, which tends to be more holistic, can also be beneficial. This approach can complement traditional healthcare because it focuses on wellness and preventative healthcare. Working on your underlying wellness, and not simply your illness, can help to lead you to better health.
Self-Advocacy In Daily LIFE
In your daily life, self-advocacy means prioritizing your health needs. This might involve setting boundaries at work or with loved ones, or making adjustments to your routine to accommodate your condition. I work with my clients to determine their priorities so that they are clear on where to spend their limited energy and when something might feel like too much. Remember, it's okay to say no to activities that might drain your energy or exacerbate your symptoms.
For related reading check out these other blog posts:
3. Self-Compassion
Living a healthy lifestyle with a chronic illness requires immense strength, and self-compassion is a crucial part of that journey. Here's why:
avoiding overexertion
It’s easy to fall into the trap of pushing yourself too hard, resulting in exhaustion and worsening symptoms. Gentle self-compassion helps you recognize your limits and honor them without guilt. This means accepting where you are today and acknowledging that it's okay.
Practicing self-kindness
Show yourself the same kindness you would offer a dear friend! Celebrate your small victories, and don’t be too hard on yourself during setbacks. Self-compassion nurtures a positive, yet realistic mindset, making it easier to cope with the challenges of chronic illness.
For related reading, I invite you to check out these blog posts:
For Personalized Support
in creating YOUR healthy lifestyle with chronic illness, discover my THRIVE one-one-one coaching package.
Living a healthy lifestyle with a chronic illness is not only possible but also empowering.
By building healthy habits, advocating for yourself, and practicing self-compassion, you can make a positive impact on your health and well-being.
If you’re looking for personalized support, my THRIVE and Chronically Well coaching programs are designed to help you live a healthy lifestyle tailored to your unique needs. From 1:1 consultations, to continued support and encouragement, I'm here to help you build your habits based on your symptoms and goals.
Ready to take a more active role in your health?
By following these tips and incorporating them into your life, you can pave the way for a healthier, more fulfilling life with chronic illness.
What could living a healthy lifestyle make possible in your life with chronic illness?
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