Seeing the End of the Tunnel: Overcoming A Long Term Health Condition

You might have already got used to living with a long term condition, and will need to change your lifestyle once you have overcome your body’s challenges. Your main goal should be to make the most out of the things you can now do, and reduce your risks of developing the same condition again. Below you can find a blueprint on how to overcome a long term condition and make the most out of your health related routine in the future.

Get a Full Test

Before you can be sure that you can see the end of the tunnel and overcome the long term health condition, or got it under control finally, you will need to get the all-clear from your medical team. Just because you feel better, it doesn’t mean that you are fully recovered. Chances are that you have had a chronic disease for a couple of years, you will need to go through a process of full rehabilitation in order to start a new, healthier life.

Talk to Fellow Survivors

One of the best ways to overcome the challenges of your long term conditions and close the chapter of your life is to share your experience with people who have been on the same journey as you. Whether you have successfully recovered from cancer, asthma, or other autoimmune disease, you will need to put measures in place to make sure that you will not fall back and move forward. Joining a survivor group will give you the strength and motivation, even if you feel exhausted and drained.

Change Your Lifestyle

With a new health outlook, you will need to think about your lifestyle as well to avoid falling ill and protect your immune system. There are some small and big changes you can implement, such as having a walk in the fresh air three times a day, taking on a new activity, or simply doing things for yourself. You might have forgotten about looking after Number One, and you don’t want  to make the same mistake again. Improving your work-life balance and getting more rest, leisure time will aid your recovery.

Take On New Forms of Exercises

Whether you spent too much time in hospital or at home in bed, you will need to reverse the impact of a sedentary lifestyle. Your muscles are likely to waste away if they are not used, so you might want to start gradually building them up again and getting stronger physically and mentally. If your asthma has prevented you from doing cardio, and now it is under control, you can start slowly and build up endurance and stamina.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

If you would like to improve your quality of life, it is important that you take care of your mental health as well as your physical one. You might need to adjust your self image, so you can improve your thoughts and have a more positive outlook in life. You might want to talk to a therapist or a mental health professional to help you close the past and have the confidence to look after your future.

Change Your Diet

Taking on new forms of exercise is only one step in the right direction. If you would like to prevent the illness from coming back, you will need to talk to a professional dietitian, so you know which foods and nutrition, vitamin supplements your body needs to stay healthy. You might read blogs and articles, but you are better off talking with a qualified professional about this serious issue instead.

Keep an Eye On Your Weight

Obesity is one of the main causes of chronic diseases, and it is easy to prevent. If you need more than a few fitness classes and a better diet, you will need to talk to a professional to find out more about your ideal weight, If you have cardiovascular issues, it is important that you don’t put more pressure on your heart than you must. On the other hand, you will need to protect your joints and your nerves as well through keeping an eye on your diet.

Break Up with Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

When dealing with health issues; mental or physical, we often try to find an easy solution to manage stress. If you have become reliant on medication, or have taken on unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as risk taking behavior, substance use, or overeating, you will need to break the cycle. There are a couple of the best ways you can overcome these unhealthy habits, such as meditation and hypnosis. Try them and find a better way of dealing with life’s frustrations and stress.

Educate Yourself on the Conditions

It is also crucial that you learn as much as you can about the condition you have just managed to overcome. This will help you evaluate the risks associated with your lifestyle or your environment, and make important changes that will help you keep your health condition at bay. Many health care organizations offer free brochures and information leaflets for customers, and there are also charitable groups that can point you in the right direction when it comes to improving your life and reducing the risks of falling ill again.

Get Involved with Specialist Health Care Organizations

Overcoming a health related issue is never easy. You will need to take more responsibility for your own health, and make sure that you get the support you need. Rehabilitation is important when you would like to get back to work, update your skills, or simply change your lifestyle. You must remember that you are not alone. There are plenty of people in your shoes, you just have to find them. Some of these charities will offer free training and seminars for people who are looking to change their health.

Ditch the Car Whenever You Can

One of the easiest change you can make in your life to get fitter and healthier, and protect your immune system is trying to exercise more. You might have limited time given the fact that you have just recovered and got back to work. However, to build up your strength, you might be able to make some small changes. Instead of sitting in peak traffic, you can walk or cycle to work, even if it is only a part of the way. We get used to not being able to walk anywhere or relying on our car too much, and as you get healthier you can make better choices for your future.

Filter Your Water

If you have any type of autoimmune disease you just got under control, it is important that you reduce the amount of toxins and pollutants that can enter your body and cause your immune system to react the wrong way. Make sure that you get rid of the residues and toxins in the drinking water, including microplastics and chlorine, as well as other chemicals water treatment systems don’t filter out. Home water filters don’t cost an arm and a leg, and you will notice the difference in the taste of water, too.

Make Your Home Healthier

Once you have overcome a long term health condition, it is important that you look after your environment, so it can look after you. If you have been suffering from skin conditions or allergies, you might want to get an air purifier in your home. Having a vacuum with a HEPA filter will also help you keep the air clean in your home. Change your old carpets and consider installing hardwood or tile flooring instead.

Choose Organic Instead of Processed Food

Your food choices will also have an impact on your health outcomes. We rely on over processed food too much, due to the lack of time. However, the good news is that you can learn to cook fresh and even use organic ingredients if you find a local farmers’ market. You can eliminate waste and do something for the environment, while getting healthier and eliminating E numbers from your diet that might potentially have caused your long term condition in the first place.

If you would like to make sure that you are able to overcome the challenges of starting a new life after living with a chronic long term condition, you will need to get prepared mentally and physically. Once you make some lifestyle changes, you can increase your chances of saying goodbye to your health issues forever and living a happier, fuller life. Implement these changes and you will see your health and fitness rapidly improve.