The Importance Of Personalized Wellness When Living With Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly challenging and unique to each individual.
The inherent unpredictability, coupled with the constant need to manage symptoms, can make following a one-size-fits-all wellness plan unrealistic and unsustainable.
Many chronic illness warriors have discovered that a personalized, bespoke approach to living well is essential. This blog post explores why personalization is key, the challenges of generic plans, and how you can create your own tailored wellness journey.
The Challenges of Generic Wellness Plans
Unrealistic and Unsustainable
Generic wellness plans often fail to accommodate the unique and fluctuating nature of chronic illnesses. These plans are typically designed with the average person in mind, neglecting the specialized needs of those with chronic conditions. Rigid exercise routines, strict dietary guidelines, and standard stress-management techniques might not be feasible or effective for everyone. For those living with chronic illness, such plans can lead to frustration and burnout rather than improvement.
Individual Differences
Even when two people share the same diagnosis, their experiences can vary dramatically. One person's symptom bundle might be different from another's, requiring individualized approaches to treatment and management. The variability in symptom presentation highlights the need for personalized plans that consider each individual's specific situation and needs.
For related reading, I invite you to read this blog post on the uniqueness of each of our chronic illness journeys.
Factors Influencing Personalized Approaches
Different Values, Priorities, and Responsibilities
The management of chronic illness isn't just about addressing physical symptoms; it also involves balancing life's many facets. Personal values, priorities, and responsibilities significantly impact how individuals manage their conditions. A young mother dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, will have different daily demands and stressors compared to a single professional with the same condition. Personalized and holistic wellness plans must take these factors into account to be truly effective.
Different Resources and Life Circumstances
Access to resources and support systems plays a crucial role in managing chronic illness. Some individuals may have a strong network of family and friends, while others might rely more heavily on themselves and/or service providers. Financial stability, access to healthcare, and even living environment are all critical components that influence how someone can follow a wellness plan. Personalized approaches should consider these varying resources and life circumstances to provide realistic and achievable goals.
Unique Symptom Presentation
Chronic illnesses often come with a wide range of symptoms that can vary in intensity and duration. For example, someone with fibromyalgia might experience severe pain and fatigue one day and relatively mild symptoms the next. This variability makes it difficult to adhere to a static wellness plan. Personalized plans that can adapt to an individual's changing condition are far more effective and sustainable.
For more reading about how all aspects of our lives come into play in supporting our wellness with chronic illness, check out this blog post.
Importance of Personalized Wellness Practices
Core Wellness Practices
Certain wellness practices are universally important for maintaining health, such as stress reduction, regular movement, balanced nutrition, proper hydration, and sufficient sleep. However, the key lies in customizing these practices to fit an individual's unique needs and circumstances.
Customized Implementation
Personalizing the implementation of core wellness practices can make a significant difference. For instance, while regular movement is essential, someone with mobility issues may benefit more from physical therapy, stretching or low-impact exercises like swimming rather than high-intensity workouts. Similarly, a person with dietary restrictions due to their chronic illness might need to tailor their nutrition plan to avoid certain foods while ensuring they get all necessary nutrients.
Find Your Individualized Path
To living well with chronic illness! Explore how you can THRIVE by working with me.
My Personal Experience
My exercise routine is an example of the need for a bespoke wellness plan when living with chronic illness. I have had a long and winding road with how exercise fits in my life. It has been a pivotal part of improving my health, but I have had a lot of challenges with how to make it work for me rather than against me.
Years ago, I had extreme difficulty with exercise after chemotherapy. For a while, the problem was my lungs. I would become winded walking up a flight of stairs or trying to keep up with my toddler. Cardio was exhausting and untenable. In addition, my energy level was extremely low. At one point, I thought I had built up enough stamina to try yoga. But, I was wiped out for 2 weeks after going to a gentle yoga class. At this point in my journey, exercise was a challenge and not a major part of my recovery. It actually tended to sideline me.
As my lungs healed post-chemo, I gained a little more energy and my breathing improved a bit. But, another problem popped up - POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I wrestled with this for a few years. I developed extreme dizziness when standing. I eventually turned to pilates for exercise, since I could do that while laying down. This was the start of rebuilding an exercise routine in a way that worked with my symptoms and energy level.
When my POTS symptoms finally resolved, many more exercise options opened up to me. But, I continued to adjust my practices as my symptoms changed - whether that was daily, seasonally or on a longer-term basis. I adjusted to make sure I was challenged and progressing while not over-doing it and exacerbating any underlying chronic conditions. As you might suspect, the implementation has never been perfect!
But, I have spent years building up to where I am now. I feel proud that I have regular strength training, cardio and pilates routines. And, still, I am continuing to iterate based on how I am feeling and what is going on with my health.
In my view, living well with chronic illness is a long-game. It requires making adjustments based on your individual needs in the moment while keeping your eye on long-term goals. Finding balance with wellness habits and chronic illness takes nuance. And, that is exactly why taking a personalized, bespoke approach is more sustainable and impactful than one-size-fits-all.
A Personalized Approach Is The Underlying Premise Of My Health Coaching
Because a one-size-fits-all approach to living well with chronic illness is not effective, I have developed coaching programs that can be tailored to each individual. They provide for flexibility in implementation while working towards client-specific goals.
How does that work?
Chronically Well
The Chronically Well app-based program offers personalized wellness plans tailored to individual needs. We co-create a plan based on your goals and the typical fluctuation of your symptoms. Then, you receive personalized guidance and support for building strong, sustainable and flexible self-care routines and healthy habits. The program provides gentle accountability and encouragement from me, a health coach who understands the struggles of living with a chronic condition.
THRIVE Coaching Package
The THRIVE Coaching Package is a comprehensive, personalized coaching experience. It begins with an initial assessment to determine what aspects of your life nurture your chronic illness journey and where changes might be helpful. Ongoing guidance and adjustments are provided to ensure that your wellness plan remains aligned with your unique needs and goals. This step-by-step approach helps create better balance in your life while managing your condition.
Living well with chronic illness requires a personalized, bespoke approach that considers individual differences, resources, and life circumstances.
Generic wellness plans often fall short because they fail to accommodate the unique and fluctuating nature of chronic conditions. By customizing core wellness practices and seeking support through personalized programs like Chronically Well and THRIVE, you can create a sustainable path to better health and quality of life.
If you're ready to start your personalized wellness journey, consider booking a free consultation call to explore the Chronically Well or THRIVE coaching packages. Taking this step can lead to positive changes and improved well-being, allowing you to live your best life despite the challenges of chronic illness.
What could taking a realistic, individualize approach to wellness make possible in your life?
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