As someone dealing with chronic illness and running in circles of people also dealing with them, I know very well how much one's emotional wellbeing is affected by these health issues. However, it isn't only the one who is sick that is affected, but also their caregivers. Here are some ideas about how to take care of your emotional health when dealing with illness.
Whether it’s you who has the illness or it’s a family member or loved one who has been diagnosed, it can be a blow to the stomach. It’s something that can often take people by surprise, especially when the prognosis is uncertain.
With any illness, going through the motions emotionally can be challenging. There can be many ups and downs experienced. With this being said, here are a few ways to look after your mental health when dealing with an illness.
Take it all day by day
When it comes to an illness, the best thing to do is to take it day by day. After all, depending on the diagnosis and the outcome of the prognosis, it might be best to take each day as it comes.
It’s better to do this than to think ahead or try to plan for something that at this point, feels very uncertain still. If it’s a loved one, then try to offer that same advice. Although it can be easier said than done when a person has the illness, it’s good to take each day as it comes with as much energy as possible.
Help those who are affected
It can be hard to see those you love, go through an illness that strips away their personality. There are such illnesses that do this, with dementia being a prime example. For those who have older loved ones, dementia is often part and parcel of those at a certain age.
In order to get them the help they need, understand the illness and what might be able to help ease their pain or suffering. For example with dementia, those with the disease can get a gps dementia tracker. This can be highly effective in helping keep track of loved ones, should they become confused or lost at any point.
Make a plan to overcome any future hurdles
There are going to be challenges along with any illness no matter how good or bad the outlook might be right now. Those challenges are going to require a lot of moral support for those going through it. From chemotherapy for cancers to physical rehabilitation after an infection.
Think about how family members and friends who can help pitch in and help out when that person needs assistance.
Keep up communications
Communications are important to keep when it comes to those going through a tough time. A simple phone call or a surprise visit could be just what that person needs to get them through a particularly challenging period of their illness.
A person going through an illness needs a network of support and those who are willing to communicate throughout.
See a therapist
Where it might be a struggle to talk to people you know, see a therapist. This can be the case for the person suffering from the illness and anyone who is experiencing a loved one going through it.
Looking after mental health is important and it’s something to prioritize when one finds themselves with a life-altering illness.