What hurts more than a chronic illness? Isolation, lack of understanding, gaslighting, unknown future, and much more. Read the full article.
Living with fibromyalgia doesn’t have to stop you from doing the things you love. With these 9 tips, you can live a happier life.
Vital differences between coping and adapting to life with a chronic illness you need to know to live better today and tomorrow.
Are you wondering how to practice intentional living with chronic illness? Intentional living; yet another popular term coming to the forefront in this world filled with constant distraction. But what does it really mean? And is it even possible to achieve an “intentional life” when you are facing a chronic illness that can turn a
In a world where the only constant is change, flexibility emerges as the unsung hero of resilience and adaptability, especially for those battling chronic illness. Embracing flexibility isn't just about bending without breaking; it's about crafting a mindset that thrives amidst life's unpredictable twists and turns. From embracing uncertainty to nurturing supportive relationships, every step toward flexibility is a stride toward empowerment. Join me on this journey as I explore the transformative power of flexibility and unlock the keys to thriving with chronic illness.
"I thought it was completely normal to feel the way I did."
Coping with invisible illness can be difficult, for sick people as well as those supporting them. Here are some tips to help.
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The standard pain scale doesn't really work when you live with chronic pain. There are better ways to express your pain.
I choose to be happy despite the cross of chronic illness. In fact, I have found I can be joyful because of my chronic illness!!
Living with chronic illness is challenging. Discover 7 tips for getting through difficult days with chronic illness in this blog post.
What hurts more than a chronic illness? Isolation, lack of understanding, gaslighting, unknown future, and much more. Read the full article.
Living with a disability or chronic illness affects your quality of life. Here are some home resources that can improve your quality of life.
There are small things we can do to improve our quality of life despite chronic pain. Here are 5 easy tips on how to live well with chronic illness.
I have read and reviewed two previous books by the talented author (and my friend) Toni Bernhard: How To Be Sick and How To Wake Up. The first was about applying the principles of Buddhism to a life of chronic illness, and the second was a more general book – for anyone, not just those chronically ill – about applying Buddhism principles for a happier, more peaceful life. In her third book, How To Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide, Toni once again focuses on those living with chronic illness and pain, with a more general guide, based on her own life and experiences and the wonderful columns, “Turning Straw Into Gold,” that she has written for Psychology Today. I hardly know where to start because Toni covers so much ground in this incredible book, and there is so much useful information packed into it. Her short, easy-to-read chapters cover every aspect of life with chronic illness or pain, from the benefits of patience to the problems with complaining, from mindfulness techniques to dealing with doctors, and from appreciating what you have to guidelines for your friends and family. Toni’s warm, kind tone runs through it all, interweaving her own experiences with advice for others. I don’t normally do this in a review, but I really want to give you an idea of the broad scope of this book, so here are the major section titles (each section contains short, useful chapters): I. Skills to Help with Each Day II. Mindfulness: Potent Medicine for Easing the Symptoms of Chronic Illness III. Responding Wisely to Troubling Thoughts and Emotions IV. Special Challenges V. Isolation and Loneliness VI. Enjoy the Life You Have VII. For Family, Friends, Caregivers, and Anyone Concerned About Chronic Illness VIII. Last But Not Least As with her previous two books, my copy was filled with dogged-eared corners by the time I finished reading it! I loved the quotes from others that she includes at the start of each chapter, like this one: Wisdom is learning what to overlook. - William James I could relate to many of her own experiences (which, in itself, always helps – to know you are not alone), and as always, I found her advice to be compassionate, straightforward, and very helpful. Sometimes, I encountered certain topics just when I needed them most, like When You and Those You Love Are in Conflict, and wanted to highlight every line in the section! Here is one example passage: Understanding a conflict from the other person’s point of view helps you see that a seemingly callous or indifferent reaction to the difficulties in your relationship does not automatically mean that your loved one doesn’t care about you. Instead, it may reflect his or her worries and fears about your medical condition – a reaction that stems from love and concern for you. Understanding this makes it easier not to take your loved one’s behavior personally. As you can see just from that brief quote, Toni’s approach is always calm and compassionate. As she herself states, “I’ve worked hard to find a measure of peace in the midst of feeling misunderstood,” and she takes that hard-won experience (in this and every other topic) and helps boil it down to basic, simple steps that we can all take to improve our lives and cope better with chronic illness.The wording and look of the cover tell you what you need to know: the emphasis here is on Living Well. With this mix of personal experience and common-sense advice that you can easily put into practice, Toni’s latest book is my favorite of the three (though the other two are well worth reading, too!). I know I will turn to this book again and again when I go through a rough spot, as I have already, and I’m sure it will be even more helpful for those who are newer to chronic illness. Toni’s advice is always so spot-on, so calm and reassuring and sensible, that my husband recently started joking with me about it. When I get upset over something related to my illness, he looks at me with a smile and says, “What would Toni do?” 331 pages, Wisdom Publications NOTE: If you, like my son and I, live with chronic illness, check out my chronic illness blog. It covers some topics specific to our illnesses (an immune disorder called ME/CFS and Lyme and other tick infections) but also many topics about emotional coping, joy, and daily life that are relevant for any chronic illness. Like Toni, I take a positive approach to living with chronic illness, with an emphasis on LIVE. Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. My review is my own opinion and is not influenced by my relationship with the publisher or author. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Purchases from these links provide a small commission to me (pennies per purchase), to help offset the time I spend writing for this blog, at no extra cost to you. Listen to a sample of the audiobook here and/or download it from Audible. You can buy the book through Bookshop.org, where your purchase will support the indie bookstore of your choice (or all indie bookstores)--the convenience of shopping online while still buying local! Or you can order How To Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide from Book Depository, with free shipping worldwide.
What hurts more than a chronic illness? Isolation, lack of understanding, gaslighting, unknown future, and much more. Read the full article.
chronic back pain and chronic pain in general can cause depression,anxiety and make us feel hopeless. Learn the tools that can save you fall into depression
After being diagnosed with gastroparesis a year ago, I had a feeding tube placed in my abdomen. We’re not sure why, but the feeding tube has left me with severe chronic pain. It's not supposed to hurt, but for some reason, it still does. I join the nearly 8 million Canadians and 51.6 million Americans who struggle with chronic pain.
Is your relationship tested by chronic illness? My marriage certainly is... The meaning of "in sickness and in health"...
Some key home and pain relief items that will make your home a haven and help you deal when living with chronic pain.
35 thoughtful gifts for someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis to help them cope with the stress and pain of daily living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
"It's the nagging person in your life who never goes away."
An estimated 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. If you are a friend, parent, or spouse of one of those 100 million, this post is for you.
Painkillers carry a stigma in society, and we often hold negative associations with them. But here's how they help me to regain a decent quality of life.
One thing that helps me immensely is hydration. It sounds so simple and obvious, but it is very easy to forget to drink water. Some days, I will realize I
I know how difficult independently living with a chronic illness can be. So in this post, I'm going to cover what specifically has been difficult for me when living independently, strategies I use (and are helpful) now, and things I don't do that could help you. Whether you’re looking to be independent or you already are and want tips, this post will help.
What hurts more than a chronic illness? Isolation, lack of understanding, gaslighting, unknown future, and much more. Read the full article.
Navigating life with chronic illness can be much more manageable with the right tools. In this article, I share my tried-and-true chronic illness must haves. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This list represents chronic illness essentials that everyone can benefit from, regardless of your condition. That’s because we can all use products that promote: More restful sleep Pain relief Better gut health Reduced toxic load Improved overall health Healthier skin and hair Below are my 15 top chronic illness must haves
Change. A single, soft-spoken syllable. Yet it’s a powerful little creature, reaching into every corner of our lives. Sometimes it’s an invitation – welcome and exciting. Sometime…
What hurts more than a chronic illness? Isolation, lack of understanding, gaslighting, unknown future, and much more. Read the full article.
Is your relationship tested by chronic illness? My marriage certainly is... The meaning of "in sickness and in health"...
Is your relationship tested by chronic illness? My marriage certainly is... The meaning of "in sickness and in health"...
Although, we'd never wish our illness on anyone, there are many things that we wish healthy people could understand.
I know how difficult independently living with a chronic illness can be. So in this post, I'm going to cover what specifically has been difficult for me when living independently, strategies I use (and are helpful) now, and things I don't do that could help you. Whether you’re looking to be independent or you already are and want tips, this post will help.
Navigating life with chronic illness can be much more manageable with the right tools. In this article, I share my tried-and-true chronic illness must haves. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This list represents chronic illness essentials that everyone can benefit from, regardless of your condition. That’s because we can all use products that promote: More restful sleep Pain relief Better gut health Reduced toxic load Improved overall health Healthier skin and hair Below are my 15 top chronic illness must haves
There are small things we can do to improve our quality of life despite chronic pain. Here are 5 easy tips on how to live well with chronic illness.
Vital differences between coping and adapting to life with a chronic illness you need to know to live better today and tomorrow.
In the first couple of years, I found it uncomfortable to explain my disease to those around me. I didn't want to seem like a "weird" sick person. I also
Facebook is for everyone, but these 23 smart phone apps are here just to help those with chronic illness. Check them out.
Living with Chronic Illness is a battle, one that I face every day. Read on to find out more about what it's like to face this beast on a daily basis.
