There’s also the pressure to introduce the “new you” to the world every new year. That means exercising more, saving money, and changing your diet.
But the reality is that many people living with chronic illnesses and other disabilities do not have the time or energy to completely transform their lives, especially if caring for them has already become a full-time job. not.
Still, there are a few steps people with chronic illnesses and other disabilities can take into their lives for the new year if they feel right for them. Here are three chronic illness and disability advocates. review specific New Year’s resolutions that are actually helpful (and doable) for people in these communities.
As we head into the new year, we may hear more and more about the professional goals that people want to achieve. This can lead to hard times on yourself, especially if you’re suddenly dealing with new or worsening symptoms.
Sneha Dave, Founder and Executive Director of Generation Patients with Ulcerative Colitis, said: health“You’re on your own timeline. Nothing makes you feel behind.”
One solution to help people with chronic illnesses and disabilities take care of themselves is to remember to eat lunch.
Regularly, Rebecca Cochrie, the Ford Foundation’s American Disability Rights Program Officer, a diminutive who lives with migraines, tweets her followers asking what she’s eating for lunch. For her, her lunch is “a moment of check-in away from her work.”
Cokley found himself skipping lunch. She then started doing this after reaching out to about 30 other disabled peers and asking them if they were frequently skipping lunch to keep her job. “Most people gave reasons why they felt they weren’t doing enough. It’s always an indictment of capitalism,” Cochrie said. health.
To make sure you have time to eat lunch, you can add it to your to-do list and tick it off like any other responsibility.
Everyone with a chronic illness or disability can have different health goals, as life can look different. Maybe it’s talking to your doctor about trying new medications. Or take an online class to learn more about how to actually implement self-care in your own life.
“Even if we do everything right, we must approach chronic illness knowing that it’s bumpy, and not let that guilt limit our ability to reach our goals. . , Said health.
And even if a goal is too hard right now, people can always make it something they’re waiting to work on in 2024.
It may take some effort, but surrounding yourself with supportive peers and health care providers can be especially helpful if you are living with a chronic illness or disability.
Especially when it comes to health care providers, it’s worth taking the time to find someone to validate your concerns if you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t take your care seriously or downplays your symptoms. There may be
“If you have a doctor who doesn’t believe you, maybe within the next year they’ll find the time and energy to listen to you and replace someone who is at the center of your care,” Cochrie said. Told.
Dealing with frustrating symptoms can be lonely, especially with many chronically ill and disabled people stuck indoors, especially with the repeal of COVID-19 protocols. To connect with others living with an illness or disability.
“One of the strongest things for me that I didn’t realize until later was peer support,” says Dave. “You can’t get out of your chronic illness, but one thing you can do for yourself is find a community.”
Peer support can be found in many ways, such as finding likes in official support groups or on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
