coping Archives - The Health Sessions

How to Maintain a Sense of Independence When You’re Sick

No man is an island. As much as we’d all like to believe we’re independent creatures, everybody depends on others for things like food, shelter, transportation and medical care.

But when you have to rely on others for your most basic self-care, from getting dressed to making a sandwich, ‘dependency’ gets a whole new meaning. Without help, everyday things suddenly become a major obstacle.

A study from the UK shows that many people with chronic illness are very concerned about becoming a burden. So much so, that some sick people will go to “supernormal lengths” to keep doing their part, even when that takes a physical toll on them. Being dependent can also make people feel useless, guilty and shameful. And this uselessness only intensifies the loss of self so many ill people struggle with.

But when you’re chronically ill and are limited in what you can do, how can you maintain a sense of independence despite your real reliance? There’s no simple answer, but here are some ideas.

Does Having a Chronic Illness Mean You Can Never Recover?

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can feel like a life sentence. After all, the word ‘chronic’ by definition refers to a continuing event; something that occurs again and again for a long time; or something that’s always present.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention defines chronic illness as a health condition that lasts one year or more, requires ongoing medical attention and/or limits your daily functioning. Generally, people with chronic illnesses like arthritis, COPD, epilepsy and kidney disease cannot be cured by medication, only manage their daily symptoms.

Does that imply that having a chronic illness means you can never recover again?

13 Transformative Quotes about Growth | The Health Sessions

13 Transformative Quotes about Change

Change can be a little scary. Even positive changes like moving to a new city, changing jobs or becoming a parent can make you feel uncomfortable, because it involves stepping out of your comfort zone without knowing how things will turn out.

When your life is suddenly turned upside down by illness or loss, it’s not just uncertainty and fear of the unknown that affect you. You also grieve all the things you unexpectedly have to miss – your normal activities, the plans you’d made, someone you loved.

In the middle of such a crisis, the last thing you want – or need! – to hear is that adversity can also be an opportunity for growth. But there is some truth in those words. Change, good or bad, is not only an ending, but also a new beginning. Life-altering events like becoming chronically ill cause immense suffering. Nobody wishes for that kind of ‘opportunity’, but sometimes, your struggle can also bring you unforeseen positive things. Maybe you’ll become (even) more resilient and compassionate. Or perhaps your relationships grow stronger and you discover what truly matters to you. There’s even a psychological term for the inner strength and newfound appreciation for life people experience after enduring hardship: post-traumatic growth.

So when you’re ready, how can you look for the new possibilities hidden within the adversity? Get inspired by these 13 transformative quotes about change.

Your 3-Step Guide to Stop Emotional Eating For Good | The Health Sessions

Are You an Emotional Eater? Here’s How to Stop.

This article is written by David Dack.

Those chocolate chips may seem delicious when you’re feeling down.

But the relief won’t last. Devoid of the ability to process your emotions, you may become more inclined to turn toward food to find release for your feelings.

In other words, you’re emotionally eating, and it’s bad for you. If you’re dealing with emotional eating right now, I want to let you know that regardless of how challenging and impossible it may seem, you can break out of this seemingly vicious cycle.

Here are my top tips on how to stop emotional eating.

6 Ways to Adjust to a New Normal

This article is written by Liza Holst.

It seems that right now everyone is adjusting to a new normal. Whether that be living with a chronic illness, experiencing anxiety due to the global pandemic we are in, or losing a loved one – it’s crucial to recognize these changes and adapt to them in a healthy way.

Here are 6 ways to make the most of any situation you’re going through right now and how to adapt in these trying times.