Blog
Chronic Illness Lifestyle Tips For Newly Diagnosed Individuals
Living with a chronic condition can be extremely stressful, but it helps to have a plan of attack. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an ongoing illness, you may be feeling an array of emotions that range from anxiety to hopelessness; however, preparing your home and changing your lifestyle in the coming months can be helpful. Depending on your diagnosis, your plan may include getting more exercise, reducing stress, modifying your home to make it more comfortable and safe, and/or getting organized so you can keep track of doctor’s appointments and medications. Acupuncture can also be a great way to help ease pain and alleviate stress during your treatment.
Here are a few more tips from Above and Beyond Acupuncture to help you get through what might be a scary diagnosis.
Evaluate Your Home Environment
Most of us spend a good amount of time inside our homes, which means they need to be comfortable and conducive to our lifestyles. When you’re living with a chronic condition, your environment also needs to be safe and contain everything you need to get through the day without issue. Take a good look at your surroundings, assessing things like the number of stairs, your sleeping environment, the air quality, and the accessibility of necessary items in the kitchen or bathroom. If your condition affects your mobility, you’ll also want to ensure that your home has the right flooring for safety’s sake.
Thinking about moving into a home that better meets your needs? Be sure to create a realistic budget, get pre-approved for a loan, and work with a real estate agent who can help you find the perfect location without all the stress. You can also narrow down your options by searching listings online.
Get Organized
Once your home is taken care of, it’s a good idea to get organized so you can stay on top of your medical records, doctor’s notes, and medications. You can also create documents that allow you to share this important information with family members or caregivers. Have multiple file formats? Convert docs from Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint to a single PDF using an online drag-and-drop tool, so you’ll have everything you need in one place.
Do Some Research
Getting organized can help you feel more in control of your own life, which is extremely helpful when navigating a chronic condition. Another way to gain control is to do some research on the condition itself, the medications used to treat it, and any side effects that are commonly experienced.
You can also take the reins where your mental health is concerned and talk to a professional who can help you through this difficult time. Keep in mind that depression and anxiety are common for individuals who are experiencing chronic illness, so your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant. While these aren’t right for everyone, they can be helpful once your healthcare provider assesses your current condition, other medications you’re on, and any pre-existing conditions. Online therapists make antidepressant medications just a virtual doc visit away, so take a look at your options.
If your condition will likely leave you needing help with daily activities, you should consider researching in-home care and assisted living options. There is a wide range of options available throughout the Phoenix area, and you can find good choices at all price points. It is best to know your options, and do your research while you have strength so, if it comes down to making a choice, you feel informed and ready to decide.
Minimize the Effects of Stress
While getting organized and speaking to a professional can both help keep stress away, it’s important to actively look for things you can do to protect your mental health and feel better each day. You might pick up a new calming hobby, or learn to practice meditation and find the quiet when your mind starts working overtime. Create a soothing playlist of songs that help you get through tough moments, and remember to make relaxation a priority no matter how busy your day is.
Acupuncture is also a great way to reduce both stress and pain, which are interconnected. Insider reports that acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety under various circumstances. It is a simple procedure and, although it may sound scary, the needles are small and are strategically placed to bring relief, not pain.
Dealing with a chronic illness can take a lot out of you, so it’s essential to get good quality sleep. Consider keeping a journal where you can write down questions for your doctor, make notes on changing symptoms, and give yourself daily affirmations that will help you manage your feelings.
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition can be a shock. You will likely experience a variety of emotions, but know that there are resources when you are ready for them. Look into ways to manage your pain and anxiety, including acupuncture by Above and Beyond Acupuncture, and take the time to learn about your condition. It’s possible you’ll want to explore in-home care for now or as preparation for later during treatment. The goal is to keep your body and mind as healthy as possible, so that you can enjoy your life beyond your condition.
