Demanding situations and obstacles are a part of our daily lives. But, if I say we live through difficult times, it might sound like an understatement or a cliché to some. However, things that are happening around us may make you worried or scared. Talk of pandemics, economic and health woes, and even bitter politics. All of which triggers anxiety and sadness.
But, what happens when you unexpectedly find yourself in the middle of a health crisis? Let’s say you’re diagnosed with chronic diseases or any expensive diseases. Of course, it would be shocking. And your life after the diagnosis would look different from your experiences before getting sick. However, it would help if you found ways to stay positive even after the health crisis.
Your life must not be gloomy while you’re in the process of reclaiming your health. Here are some of the ways to help you stay positive after a series of health crises.
5 Ways to Stay Positive After a Series of Health Crisis
1. Accept and Love Yourself
Your efforts to resist any painful emotions would do you more harm than good. For instance, resisting and trying to fight situations would increase your psychological suffering. But rather accept that you’re sick. And by a simple definition, acceptance here would mean consenting to the health results received.
Acceptance is one of the essential elements in psychological adaptation, especially to chronic illness and disability. Be mindful of yourself and purposefully focus your attention on your present moments and accept the situation.
Better still, find a way to cope and move. Coping here would mean you incorporate your illness into your daily life. Meanwhile, if you still can, continue pursuing your goals.
Now, here is how acceptance is key to loving yourself and your growth!
When you accept the situation you are in, it only means one thing. You are taking care of your psychological or emotional growth. That means you’re kind to yourself, and that’s love. Accepting makes you recognize that being sick is part of life, and you still have to pamper yourself.
Furthermore, acceptance is about you opening up to what is happening around you and cultivating the good life you have. Develop the habit of counting your blessings despite the crisis and learn to live more in the present.
2. Sweat it out
Exercising is not only about losing, maintaining, or gaining weight, it can make you feel good too about yourself. If you are still able to get out, staying active would be the best thing to do. If going to the gym is a hassle, your backyard is an ideal place to do some light exercises.
Through exercising, you’ll be able to work off stress and tension. This is what happens- when you exercise, your brain produces chemicals such as dopamine which is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Meaning it’s a chemical messenger associated with pleasure or reward, and it contributes to mood, decision making, and physiological functions.
In other words, you must ensure you perform some movements as per your doctor’s directives. You can take a walk, hike, or cycle, among other forms of exercise. Just ensure you give your attention to nature or the people around you. Exercise would be your excellent mood booster since you would see yourself as healthier and vital rather than sick.
3. Write it out
You can be your enemy, and whatever you think or say to yourself can destroy or make you. Of course, the diagnosis must hit you, and your perception of yourself is likely to change. However, you must also learn to have positive thoughts and talk.
Therefore, the best way to work through your unpleasantness and negative feelings is to journal. Write down everything you’re expected to do by your doctors, and record any signs or symptoms you may have developed. Besides, journaling would be a great tool to track your symptoms and developments. Also, it would help provide the accurate time of some experiences.
4. Never cut your ties with family or friends
It’s very okay to feel bad about your situation, but it’s never wise to shut out people who are willing to help you. Of course, there are situations when you would want to be left alone, that are understood. However, completely hiding from friends is never a good idea.
You’ll only feel better when you are connected with your families or friends.
Why is that?
Not all families will indeed be supportive. However, feeling connected is very enforced to almost everyone. Besides, it contributes to happiness, mental health, and physical health.
Imagine a situation where you need support, either with your medicines, but you can’t get them. And you happened to have cut ties with everyone you could help you. You’ll definitely suffer. Therefore, seek out your squad and never close your door for those who could help you.
With your loved ones around you, you can feel connected and less likely to be depressed. But if you do, you’ll be in a better position to get out of depression because of the support you’ll get.
5. Improve your Nutrition
Nutrition is essential to a healthier life. Some of the activities that would help you stay active require that you fuel your body. Therefore, you must ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet or follow your doctor’s guide.
Besides, eating the right food makes you responsible, and you’ll feel good for taking care of yourself.
In addition to the ways mentioned above, you must also ensure you watch your digital content consumption. There is a lot of information online which is not even close to the truth. Just ensure you only consume the recommended ones.
Conclusion
We are all vulnerable to health problems. But what we do after a health crisis strikes us would matter a lot. Therefore, when you have been diagnosed with any health problem, you must learn to live with the situation.
You must accept and love yourself, improve your nutrition, and ensure you are connected to your families and friends to stay positive after a health crisis. Besides, document your progress for timely experiences and ensure you do exercise to work off stress and tension.
Positive Words Research – 5 Ways to Stay Positive After a Health Crisis
