Coping Skills, part II
Maintain friendships. Don’t let your pain and irritability separate you from family and friends.
Attempt to problem solve those things you can control. Set goals that are flexible and reasonable. Remember S-M-A-R-T?
Counseling can help you deal with grief issues, depression, anger, financial stresses and whatnot.
Be in control. Stop when you feel tired. Do not push yourself beyond that point.
Do not allow illness to become your sole identity. If you like art, keep doing it; you are still an artist!
Spend your energy wisely. Realize that you have limits. Remember the 50% rule. If you feel like walking 5 miles, walk 2.5 miles. When you return you may be relieved that you made it back or you may have energy enough to do something else, like wash those dirty dishes. On the same note, remember that resting for 10 minutes gives you 20 minutes of energy.
Join a support group. Others know what you are going through. You are not alone.
Set priorities. Make a list of what MUST be done, what you would like to do, and what doesn’t matter.
Learn to adapt. You may not be able to go out to eat Chinese food because of anxiety, but I’d bet that a friend would bring it to you.
January 28th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Who really now is engaged in the control of health? To mine it neglected the large pharmaceutical companies and the medical centers. There should be a centralized management WBR LeoP