Chronic illnesses and burnout
Having a long-term health condition puts enormous pressure on our shoulders.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed – by the responsibilities of managing appointments, taking the appropriate medications and financial stressors while juggling life responsibilities when also experiencing physical pain and discomfort.
Things that can help accept a long-term diagnosis:
Thinking about what we can do to help accept and manage our conditions within reasonable expectations of ourselves can make everyday life that little bit easier to manage.
Recognising the signs of burnout:
More intense symptoms or additional ones – the need for additional medication – even the inability to perform simple tasks and activities that we normally participate in can all be signs to look out for.
Seven Top Tips To Help Burnout
Accept any limitations placed on you by your condition – learn your limits and how to listen to your body.
Knowledge is power – learn as much as you can about your conditions and log how you are affected personally. Everyone is different and you need to know your symptoms and stressors.
Be assertive – Saying no when you need to even if you want to say yes is powerful too! Try to explain why you are saying no so people understand why.
Choose to lead a healthy lifestyle – eating, sleeping, moving well and practising self-care will all support all-around physical and mental health.
Adopting the 3 good things mantra – every day think of three good things that have happened or that you are grateful for. They can be small and they soon add up.
Realise you are more than just an illness – your illness doesn’t define you. You are still the person you always have been and deserve the right to be treated like a human being. You should still have the opportunity to do the things that you want to and enjoy.
Be part of a community (Like The Mob!) – communicating with others ‘who get you’ can help. Whether it’s a FaceBook group, online support group or face-to-face group, all can offer some help and support especially when you are first diagnosed or going through a tough time.
Burnout happens to all of us
Most people will experience burnout at some point in their lives. Those with a long-term health condition are much more vulnerable.
Ensure you are well supported and explain to friends and family what your limitations are and how you manage these.
Their support will help you stay on track and enable them to identify your warning signs, giving you extra protection and comfort through the difficult days.
Other resources
What is chronic Illness Burnout
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