Skip to main content

Simple Steps to Better Health: For those with a Chronic Illness

What if you could take simple steps every day to improve your health? Well, you can.
These steps can be done even with a chronic illness.
This is not a novel idea. You already take the step to brush your teeth. When you do this every day, your teeth start shining with health.
Just like brushing your teeth, below are simple steps. If these are done every day, over time they will help lead you to better health, especially with a chronic illness.

1. Seek Help from God

Ask God for help with your illness and seek to do His will every day. This step is crucial to avoid King Asa’s error when he was afflicted with a severe illness.
His illness should have caused him to turn to God, but it did not. Below is a quick summary:
Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 2 Chronicles 16:12
Matthew Henry’s commentary explains it this way:
Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to them, and expecting that from them, which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly.
In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts, that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.

2. Control Your Emotions

I have found that there is nothing more detrimental to my health than out of control emotions.
It can take my body weeks if not months to recover after just one instance of this.
Research supports my experience. The Huffington Post, via Dr. Cynthia Thaik, states that toxic emotions can lead to serious health problems(3).
Moreover, research also shows that even one five-minute episode of anger is so stressful that it can impair your immune system for more than six hours(3).
Another source finds that every emotion stimulates a chemical response in your body(2).
It states that positive emotions cause the production of “feel good” hormones serotonin and dopamine. Negative emotions cause the production of “stress” hormones cortisol and adrenaline(2).
The simplest way to control your emotions is to immediately (CARR):
Roll – Roll these emotions off of you and onto to God in prayer(5).
Replace-Replace emotional thoughts with the truth by reading scripture verses about that emotion (rage, panic, envy, anxiety, fear,unforgiveness, etc.). John 17:17
COMMIT-Commit in prayer every morning to control a certain emotion that seems to habitually plague you.
AVOID-Avoid others with uncontrollable emotions, at least until they cool down. Remember to pray for them. 1 John 5:16

3. Get Your Sleep

Many of my symptoms from Lyme Disease actually coincided with those of sleep deprivation.
Studies have shown that the lack of sleep affects quite a few areas of your health. This includes your immune system.
Consequently, a sleep deprived person is usually incapable of getting to a better level of health.
Click here to learn what to do when you can’t sleep and the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

4. Drink More Water

According to Mayo Clinic, people with chronic illnesses are at a greater risk for dehydration(8).
With Lyme Disease, I noticed that I was constantly dehydrated. So, I began drinking one (1) gallon of water daily. Without this amount of water, I immediately felt lethargic.
When my Naturopathic Doctor recommended that I drink this amount of water, I knew I was on the right track.
However, the only way that I can drink this much water is to add flavor. You can a little add fruit juice, tea and/or stevia (4).

5. Care for Your Body

A routine where you take care of your body every day includes:

A. EXERCISE 

According to Mayo Clinic, if you have a chronic illness, regular exercise can help you manage symptoms and improve your health(12).
Set aside a specific time each day for exercise.  But, feel free to adjust your exercise routine depending on how you feel that day. Walking is a great low-impact exercise.
The exercise recommended for Lyme disease is physical therapy, rehabilitation and a graded exercise program (10). 

“Without exercise, it is impossible to recover from Lyme disease.”– Dr. Joseph Burrascano, MD

B.TAKE YOUR VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS 

It is significant how much better I feel just by taking my daily vitamins and supplements.
Being consistent can be as easy as setting up a daily reminder on your phone, email or tablet or just asking someone to remind you.  
(Please note that I do put a limit on how many pills I take during a day. Also, I read the side effects. Even herbs have side effects.)
Dr. Burrascano also recommends for all Lyme patients a multi-vitamin, daily yogurt and acidophilus preparations (two with each meal), and B complex 50 mg daily (10).

C. EAT HEALTHIER

There are numerous diet options out there. I would encourage you to try a diet that is specifically recommended for your illness or your unique needs.  I have seen an increase in my daily productivity just by changing my diet.
Surprisingly, 1-3 shakes a day (containing protein powder, fruit, spices and vegetables) have made a significant difference in my health.  
The easiest way to start a diet is to add healthy foods to your existing diet. Then, slowly replace the items that are not as healthy with ones that are(6).
Feel free to adjust your diet as needed (e.g. cooked vs. raw fruits/vegetables for digestive issues, rotate/avoid foods due to allergies or avoid whole grains for digestive issues).
For Lyme Disease, Dr. Mercola recommends eliminating dairy, gluten, and sugar(11).But he also adds what you should be eating. These include Omega-3 fats, fermented vegetables or cultured foods, and leafy greens.

D. UNDERSTAND YOUR LIMITATIONS (PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL)

There are certain things that wreak havoc on your health. Try to identify them and avoid them, at least until you feel better.
For example, these are all detrimental to my health: highly active children, parties, stressful situations/people, strong chemical smells, the heat or lifting anything heavy.
If you are unable to avoid them, come up with ways to lessen their impact. For example, during a meeting when you start to feel stressed, get up and take a (bathroom) break.
Understanding your limitations also includes knowing when to ask for help.

6. Address New Symptoms

With a chronic illness, it is easy to avoid taking the time to address yet another health issue.
However, health issues, if not addressed quickly, tend to get worse over time. This can  mean an increase in recovery time and the treatment cost.
However, taking steps to address them early on can improve your level of health now and in the future.
This can be as easy as praying, speaking to your doctor, checking your local library for a book on that subject and/or searching an online support group.
Try using  webmd’s symptom tracker for reliable medical information.
If you feel overwhelmed, try writing down all of the steps that are involved. Then take one step everyday. Better yet, get someone to help you.

7. Enjoy Life Everyday (to forget about your illness)

Life with a chronic illness has numerous challenges.  But you can find ways to enjoy life to forget about your illness everyday.
This can be as easy as taking a walk (or a drive) or having dinner with family. Spending some time praising and thanking God always has a way of elevating my mood. I also enjoy going out-of-town once a week to nearby farms or hiking areas. Proverbs 17:22
Starting a new hobby or a ministry is an excellent way to enjoy life. There is nothing like gardening where you plant a seed and watch it grow. Also, a paint by number set can decrease your stress without having to take a painting class.
A new ministry can be as simple as taking a store-bought meal to someone sick (like a rotisserie chicken), sending get well cards or being part of a prayer chain. Proverbs 11:25
So take some time everyday to forget about your illness and enjoy life
These are simple, daily steps that can help lead you to better health, especially with a chronic illness. Controlling your emotions, caring for your body and addressing new ailments early on are just a few steps. Not only are these steps meant to strengthen your health, but they should first turn you to God. But they also exhort you to take time everyday to forget about your illness and enjoy life.
The information provided herein is not medical advice and is not meant to take the place of a doctor.  Please be sure to speak to your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.

  1. https://familydoctor.org/mindbody-connection-how-your-emotions-affect-your-health/
  2. http://dailysuperfoodlove.com/4871/how-negative-emotions-affect-your-health/
  3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cynthia-thaik/emotional-wellness_b_4612392.html
  4. http://lifehacker.com/why-tea-is-so-healthy-for-you-and-how-to-get-the-most-1460167162
  5. http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-meek
  6. Body by God
  7. http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/symptoms-of-chronic-dehydration.html
  8. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/dxc-20261072
  9. Advanced topics in Lyme Disease
  10. http://www2.lymenet.org/domino/file.nsf/UID/guidelines
  11. http://articles.mercola.com/lyme-disease/diet.aspx#!
  12. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise-and-chronic-disease/art-20046049/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fast You Can Do

Have you ever wondered if fasting could help you with your illness?  After all many fasts in the bible resulted in deliverance from impossible situations.
Post a Comment
Read more

What to do when you constantly wake up during the night

As mentioned in a previous post, sleep is essential in order to recuperate from Lyme Disease. However, when I absolutely can't get to sleep, I have found that resting is the best alternative. Resting at night has helped me be able to have an active day, stay more alert, and just feel better. There are things that you must do or not do in order to allow your body to rest. Below are some suggestions to help you sleep or rest at night: 1.  Don't turn on electronics . This is my first temptation when I can't sleep. However, we have all read the articles about how electronics affect our sleep so I won't belabor the point. 2. Keep the lights off . Who knows you may be able to fall asleep after a while. If you must turn them on, use a night light or turn them on temporarily. 3. Drink water and/or eat a light snack. I only do this if I find I am extremely thirsty. Be sure not to drink too much water at night or you will end up in the bathroom all night. I have found that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Holidays Made Easy and Stress-free (for those with a chronic illness)

The onset of the holidays can be a particularly stressful time of the year for those with an illness or disability. The amount of energy needed for all the tasks involved keeps increasing every year, while our own strength keeps diminishing.  However, there are ways to make the holidays easier and stress-free.   Focus on God    When I focus my life on Jesus and obeying Him, things take their proper place. Peace is restored and life becomes easier again ( Matthew 11:28-30 ). During the holidays, take the focus off the food, gifts, entertaining and decorating and put it back on Jesus. Below are a few easy ideas to put this into practice: Spend (uninterrupted) time praying and in the bible (pray the bible) Pray about your holiday plans and any anxieties Sign up for a  Thanksgiving  (or Christmas)  Devotional Play and Sing Hymns and similar music Give thanks for the simple things in life Invite Christ to be your honored guest in a...
Post a Comment
Read more