Practical Tips for Taking Care of Chronic Illness

Chronic Illness


It is hard managing chronic illness and sometimes it can feel like it is your full-time job. However, there are little changes that you can make every day to make your life simpler. Tweed City family practice can help manage the symptoms but there are a few things you can do at home without feeling overwhelmed. If you have been living with a chronic illness for long you might have forgotten how it feels to have strong muscles, energetic, no exhaustion and less pain. However, incorporate the following self-care tips into your daily routine may be more effective than taking a pain killer.


Be Hydrated Always


It is no rocket science that your body mostly depends on water for normal functioning. On the same note, drinking fewer amounts of water are likely to worsen your conditions placing you at a higher risk of fatality. Tweed City family practice has installed water dispensers for patients because they know the benefits of drinking enough water are more than just quenching your thirst. It helps to transport nutrients to the required body cells, expels bacteria out of the body, and also improves your energy levels. This helps you to function better and improves your overall health. It is almost public knowledge that drinking more water is an essential lifestyle. The only problem — what amount is considered adequate. The World Health Organisation recommends about 2 litres per day which is an equivalent of about 65 ounces each day.


Ensure Your Environment Stays Clean


Your environment is one place that has a direct effect on your quality of life. It is also hard to realise the number of toxins that are in our homes or some of the products we use at home. It is also difficult to tell but there is a lot of diseases causing bacteria and chlorine that can be found inside your shower. That is why it is important to use a chlorine filter regularly especially if you have been diagnosed with autoimmune disorders. There are also other simpler modifications that you can make to easily manage your disease. For instance, you can install air purifiers to help manage mold issues. You can also resort to top using non-toxic products in your home as well as on your body.


Be Intentional About Your Nutrition


Some chronic diseases are usually linked to a deficiency of essential vitamins and poor nutrition. This means that you have more control than you can ever imagine in managing your symptoms. It calls starts by carefully selecting the foods you consume. Among the changes, you can make include

  • Intermittent fasting helps reduce inflammation, cleansing your body and boosting your energy levels.
  • Try other types of diets such as histamine, vegan or paleo which have been found to be effective.
  • Go for organic foods and specifically those that have not been treated with pesticides. This is because some pesticides have been linked to different kinds of disorders and types of cancers.

In the process of making the lifestyle changes ensure that you aim for balancing rather than complete elimination. This is mostly because if you try to eliminate most of the things that your body is already used to then the changes might not be sustainable in the long run.


Make Self-Care a Habit


It is hard enough to live with chronic illness such as MS or depression. During those difficult times, it is important to manage your mental health just like you take care of your physical fitness. Some essential self-care tips include meditation, spending enough time in nature, and giving yourself a break from daily house chores and social media. You can also try, taking long showers, reading your favorite book just before you go to sleep or journaling. Journaling is widely recommended because it helps you to track the progress you are making.


Practice Proper Sleeping Habits


Poor sleeping habits may leave you exhausted and not willing to do anything useful. It is also one of the major factors that may worsen your condition. Proper sleep is essential in helping your body and brain perform their daily functions which may include processing knowledge and memory among others. Quality sleep is also essential in reducing your symptoms and improving your mood. If you are not getting enough sleep on the hand, it means you are overworking your immune system and putting yourself at risk of contracting other diseases.


Regular Exercise


Physical exercise has many benefits such as losing weight, reducing the risk of diseases and improving your overall mood. However, a patient of chronic illness may find it difficult to start considering that they might be overwhelmed. The best way to start is by identifying a sporting activity that you like and one that doesn't require you to use a lot of energy. Before you start any physical activity, you must consult with your doctor first. Some things that are easy to start and maintain include:

  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Strength training
  • Tai Chi

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