Searching for Health thyroid resistance, chronic illness and living your healthiest life

A lovely lady by the name of Allison contacted me in early September in the hopes of contributing her expertise to Searching for Health. I, of course, was happy to oblige and continue to encourage anyone interested in guest posting to contact me.

So, who is this guest blogger? Allison is a writer for psychologydegree.net and has been a curious student of psychology since high school. She brings her understanding of the mind to work in the weird world of internet marketing.

When our bodies are compromised, we struggle with them. Maybe you feel betrayed that your body won’t allow you to move the way you used to, or you feel frustrated that getting sick is a lot easier than it was before. It doesn’t take a psychology degree to know that coping with such a significant change is incredibly difficult. Whether you’ve had to reduce your work hours because of your condition, or you can’t run with your kids the way you used to be able to, there’s no need to feel hopeless.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness, know that there are still ways for you to be useful and involved with your local community despite your diagnosis.

Step One: Get Involved With Others Who Have Your Diagnosis

What do Michael Douglass, Michael Hall, and John Kerry all have in common? They all have/had cancer. Yet, they’re still actively living their lives despite their chronic, long-term illness. Find a local support group that helps people with your diagnosis. Getting involved with others that know intimately what you’re going through. Avoid isolation by giving yourself something to look forward to. Get out and be active.

Step Two: Volunteer in your community

Even if you can’t work regular hours because of your diagnosis, you can still volunteer. There are many excellent types of volunteer jobs that are out there. Many people who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness use the time to do the volunteering they wanted to do when they were younger but were unable to.

If you can work, do so. Whether you find part-time work or a position that allows flexible hours, earning an income can help you feel better about your self-worth and ability to contribute to the household. You might not even have to leave your home to get a job, either. There are thousands of legitimate jobs available on the internet that you can do right from your home.

Step Three: Stay connected with family and loved ones

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, let family and loved ones know. You’ll need their support, and if they know your condition, they’ll be able to accommodate any mobility or emotional issues you might encounter.

Step Four: Keep yourself happy and healthy

This is the perfect time to discover what relaxes you. Getting involved in activities that you enjoy is a great way to keep yourself in shape and keep your body relaxed. Remember to engage in exercise and eat well.

Though depressive episodes are unpleasant bumps in the road, those with chronic illness are more likely than the general population to develop major depression. In fact, one-third of those with a chronic illness will develop the mental disorder. The most important thing you can do is monitor your mental well-being. If you feel your attitude changing, contact professional help who can help you negotiate this transition in your life.

 It’s not always easy staying positive after being diagnosed with chronic illness. By keeping yourself involved in your local community, engaging in active exercise, and staying close to family and friends, you can maintain your health and lower your chance of developing depression.