Having a chronic illness is difficult and can make you feel very alone. But, worse than that is how unpredictable your symptom flare-ups can be. One day you could feel fine, and the next you could be overcome with sickness and pain.
When you have a chronic illness, everyday tasks can sometimes feel overwhelming. You might find yourself staying in, or not wanting to do things you’d usually enjoy because the illness is unpredictable. Having a flare-up in front of others or when you’re out somewhere can be embarrassing and painful.
It’s okay to be frustrated for a while. It’s okay to be upset about your diagnosis and grieve the normal sense of predictability you once had. But, don’t let it keep you chained forever. You’re going to have setbacks and you’re going to need to accept them in order to continuously move forward.
So, what can you do to ease your frustrations and adapt your life to handle your illness?
Develop Routines and Rituals
During an intense flare-up, you will certainly need more rest. However, if you let yourself lay in bed all the time and don’t have any motivation to do anything with your day, it can lead to depression and make your symptoms feel even worse.
The smallest daily routines can feel like victories. They can make you motivated to try more and accomplish more. Try something simple, like waking up at a certain time, brushing your teeth, making breakfast, taking a shower, etc. Then, work to something bigger like going on a walk or having lunch with a friend.
On days where you can’t venture out or even make it to the shower, you can still relish in the “little victories” if you were able to get out of bed and brush your teeth. Having pieces of a routine to look forward to and accomplish can make a big difference in how you feel.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Unfortunately, cutting carbs out of your diet or eating more leafy greens probably isn’t going to cure your illness. But, when you do have a chronic illness, it’s important to take care of your body as much as possible.
That might mean making subtle changes that can make you feel even a little bit better. If you smoke, now is a good time to quit. Cut back on alcohol consumption. If you’re tempted to stay in bed all day, try to force yourself to get dressed and rest on the couch, or even do exercises in your bed that don’t require you to get up.
Making the littlest changes can improve things, and can help you to set more advanced goals for yourself. As you start to see that you accomplish more things, that frustration will start to fade away.
Talk to Someone
Remember, a chronic illness is just a part of you. It doesn’t define who you are. Though it might feel as though it has completely taken over, you can start to take back some of the power over time by shifting your perspective and choosing to live differently.
Having a community and a support system around you is extremely important when you’re dealing with a chronic illness flare-up. Family members and friends who understand what you’re going through can make the unpredictability of flare-ups easier to handle and less overwhelming.
If you’re still struggling with frustration from your illness, talking to someone professional and experienced can be a big help. Together, you can work on more ways you can adapt to your illness, and live a fulfilling and happy life. You can also work on ways to manage your emotions and find more peace within yourself and your relationships.
You may also enjoy reading:
Helping Loved Ones Understand Your Chronic Illness & Limits
Chronic Illness During the Holidays
Chronic Illness: The Frustration and Unpredictability of Flare-ups
Chronic Illness: Finding Your New Normal
Coping with Chronic Illness: How to Maintain a Positive Outlook
6 Ways Mindfulness Helps Physical Pain
