How to Be Productive While Living With a Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic condition raises more issues and concerns than anyone should have to deal with. There is the need to keep track of your medications while also knowing the side effects of some that are considered common like birth controls, there can be added stress, and on top of it all, you may still have to go to work or take care of your family. It can be a steep hill to climb, but it is possible.
While we have talked about remaining productive with a disability, a chronic illness brings its own set of trials and tribulations. However, there are plenty of ways that you can remain productive even with an illness trying to drag you down, and much of it comes down to adjusting your thought process.
Count Your Spoons
It can be hard to put things into perspective when you have a chronic illness, but one easy way to stay productive and manage your daily activity is by counting spoons. No, not literally. Basically, the theory has you start each day with 12 spoons, and you need to be strategic with what you accomplish because every task uses at least one spoon. So, while something relatively simple like taking your medication can take one spoon, going to work for the day may take four spoons or more.
The point is to be as productive as possible, and you want to plan ahead, so you don’t run out of spoons before your day is complete. A good plan could include beginning with one spoon for getting out of bed, two spoons for bathing and getting ready for the day, three spoons for driving to and from work, and four spoons during your day at the job. Another two spoons to cook dinner and then relax the rest of the evening. You just don’t want to go over your spoons too early. Proper planning can give you a semblance of a normal day.
It is important to remember that you can be productive without overdoing it. Don’t schedule more than one medical appointment in a day just in case you don’t feel well and end up missing them all, and if you can, schedule a few days out so you can cancel if need be without accruing extra fees or upsetting the medical office. If you have to go to work and a doctor’s appointment on the same day, don’t make plans to socialize that evening. You won’t upset anyone. You’ll just show that your chronic illness doesn’t control you. Instead, it is the other way around.
Take a Break
At work, we are asked to take breaks for a reason. They are set at intervals throughout the day, so we don’t get overstressed and overworked, and we can focus and maintain productivity during the entirety of the shift. The same goes for those with a chronic illness. There are times that you are going to be tired, and when you need to take a breather, and that is okay. A small break may be just what you need to rock and roll on the next task.
Also, remember that you do not have to do everything you set out to do in one sitting. For instance, if you reserved your spoons for dusting the house, but you suddenly feel exhausted, then make a plan to spend 20 minutes dusting the kitchen today and 20 minutes dusting the living room tomorrow. In between, take the breaks that you need. This way, you will be productive while also maintaining your health.
Speaking of cleaning, spruce up your favorite break room in your house for ultimate relaxation. While you may enjoy simply watching your favorite TV show in your recliner, the room you surround yourself with could potentially be improved to relieve more stress, put you in a relaxed space, and even improve your mental health. Start by removing unnecessary clutter, which will not only make the room feel less claustrophobic but will also prevent potential trips and falls. The color of your room can also make a big difference. Red can affect a room’s energy and get you more motivated, yellow provides joy and happiness, and orange evokes enthusiasm. Find a shade that suits you.
Ask for Help
While you may have recaptured your enthusiasm and productivity, there are days when you just may feel a bit too down, and on those days, it is okay to ask for help. That can include anything from asking someone to drive you to an appointment (whether they be a family friend or a nurse practitioner) to having them assist with folding the laundry that you just washed. Turn to family and friends who are probably more than happy to help you however they can. If you have any spoons left, offer to make them dinner in return.
The help that you require may come in the form of a new pet. You may have seen others with support animals like dogs and birds, and you should consider looking for a fluffy companion who can help you with many different tasks. In many cases, dogs can do a multitude of tasks that will help you on a daily basis, from retrieving items from other rooms to encouraging you to get the exercise you need. Even the act of petting a dog can lower your heart rate.
If a dog is your pet of choice, then you have many different breeds that will be happy to stand by your side. Poodles are very smart, and since they are small, they have the mobility to do everything from fetch a remote to relax in your lap if you are feeling anxious. If you want a more substantial helper, consider a Pharaoh Hound, which will give you the protection you need while also adapting well to new tasks.
No, living with a chronic illness is not the best-case scenario, but your condition doesn’t have to completely control your life. Heed these tips, do what you can, and go to bed each night with a feeling of accomplishment.
