Each one of us has a different list of symptoms, diagnoses, and problems. But we do have one thing in common. We all need to set aside time for healing.
Our days are filled with meds, appointments, family responsibilities, work, cleaning, cooking, etc. So many things make demands on our time and our energy that sometimes allowing ourselves something as simple as the time for rest doesn’t even make it on our to-do list.
We argue that there are only 24 hours in a day and these demands on our time can’t wait but eventually our bodies are going to revolt and throw us into a flare. Then we’ll be shut down for as long as the flare decides to stick around and we have no control over anything.
It’s so important to give our bodies some room to heal. Freeing up time that is set aside for the sheer purpose of resting and regrouping needs to be a priority in our chronic life.
Here are a few things you can do that will allow you to set aside time for healing:
Simplify your life.
- If you want to take time to heal you’re going to have to focus on what your body needs and let go of some other things. You don’t necessarily have to let go of them forever but just realize this is a season for healing and keep that your focus.
- Use paper plates and cups to cut down on kitchen cleaning.
- Make a list of quick and easy recipes to use and don’t hesitate repeating!
- Allow yourself to say no. Period. Complete sentence. NO!
- Make a few freezer meals ahead of time.
- Find healthy take-out meals in your area or convenience foods at your grocery store. Don’t compromise on nutrition and start eating fast food all the time. Just make healthy choices as simple as possible!
- If a friend asks if there’s anything they can do, suggest making a meal or picking up a few groceries for you.
- Ease up on what you do around the house. Let good enough be good enough. This is a season to heal and not a season to clean your house as if it’s going to be in a House Beautiful spread.
- Unplug as much as possible. The stress of mental clutter does take its toll on our bodies and cutting down on the electronic input will help clear our minds of some of the clutter.
- Free your calendar. Understand you’re going to be missing a few things while you go through this season of healing and that’s ok!
Rally your team.
Let your family know that you’re going to be going through a time of healing. Ask them to help in whatever areas they can.
Talk to your healthcare team and determine your top priorities. Ask what things you should focus on that would give you the best results in the amount of time you have.
Stay out of the comparison trap.
No one else has the same circumstances as you do so you can’t compare your life to the life you think they’re living. If it means you’re going to have to stay offline for a while so you don’t see the picture-perfect version everyone posts on social media, then do it!
Set reasonable expectations.
If you can only set aside a few weeks to focus on healing you can’t expect the same results as if you were able to take a year for it.
Giving yourself time for healing doesn’t mean you’re going to be completely healed of your illnesses at the end of your allotted time. Understand this time is about learning what’s best for your body and how it’s affected by various things. In the end, you’ll be that much further to having your health as best as you can get it.
What is something you do to ensure you have time to rest and heal?
