[CHAT] Coping with illness
It’s the middle of winter and that means a lot of us are sporting some kind of winter sickness, and being bombarded by television ads for cough mixture usually featuring some sad looking soul with a Rudolf red nose, a scary animated phlegm ball with a face, or that ever so annoying super mum who encourages us to ‘get on with the day’ even though we feel like death warmed up… shut up mum!
Most of us will get the dreaded cold or flu at least once this sickly season and even though they only last a few days normally they can still be a pretty rotten few days… If your lucky like me and have already had the flu this year they can easily turn into something worse like a chest infection, which I’m still carrying the remaining tell tale signs of… Aka coughing up disgusting phlegm balls at random… Mmm attractive!
But what about illness that last for more than a few days? Dealing with a chronic illness like diabetes, epilepsy, asthma or chronic pain is difficult, and almost certainly means some major changes in your life. You can adjust to living with a chronic illness by getting good info, and talking to people - doctors, counsellors, or other people living with the illness.
Our health is our most important asset and there is lots we can do to best to take care of ourselves, but our mental health can take a hit when trying to manage an illness, even in the short term but getting informed and focusing on the things you can do (& are in control of) is the key!
This weeks get real session will be all about managing illness - we'll talk about coping with the winter sicknesses, and managing other health issues that might come up. But we'll also explore what happens when a chronic illness takes hold and how you can look after yourself or someone else if a friend or family member has something serious going on with their health.
So come join @Chessca_H and myself at 8pm AEST on Monday for some support and good time!!! *Tissues provided
In the meantime here's Jordan talking about how she dealt with her chronic illness
Hey @lilbro, we don't use real time chat as we are an anonymous forum. 
Great replies everyone, so good to see you talking about self care!
Sickness (in both yourself and the people around you) can make you feel pretty down, so what do you think are the best ways to look after your mental health while coping with illness?
Ooh I really struggle with this so interested to see what others think. I think that keeping up self care strategies is the best way to look after mental health whilst coping with illness, but I'm not always very good at following through. I also need to try and stay in the moment and not let my mind run away with worries about why I'm sick and what it means because that has a lot of negative impacts on my mental health.
Sickness (in both yourself and the people around you) can make you feel pretty down, so what do you think are the best ways to look after your mental health while coping with illness?
Just remind yourself that you are sick so you can't do things that you would normally do and that you are taking care of your body. Just remember to challenge all your negative thoughts. One can still practice mindfulness.
If it's someone else who is sick. I know that being there for them is the most important thing. And to also not to make them feel guilty for needing you to help them.
If it's yourself, then remaining positive, or at least, not letting yourself be consumed by all those negative emotions, is very important. And making sure you have people near you to support you.
Awesome ideas @N1ghtW1ng i think having people around me is the main thing that helps me when im sick, and the guilt thing is huge thats a great point!
I'm opposite @N1ghtW1ng and @SJG. I like to keep to myself when I am sick. I have thinner patience, so people get on my nerves pretty quickly.
So on the topic of having people around you when sick.. One of the best ways to look after yourself (for some people) while you’re sick is to have supportive and positive people around you, who is that for you?
Sounds like everyone prefers to be alone!! haha i actually love having my mum or my friend steph around, they are too kind to me
One of the best ways to look after yourself (for some people) while you’re sick is to have supportive and positive people around you, who is that for you?
I hate having friends around when I'm sick because I hate being seen by my friends when I'm feeling vulnerable. However I really like to have my family around (mum, dad and sister) because they make me feel safe - even if they aren't doing anything specific to help me I just like knowing that they're there.
I agree everyone its also great knowing that family are just a phone call away. I dont like having people around me im sick in the stomach though.. which is alot. Ew
Some really interesting answers guys 😄
Sometimes when the people around us get sick, we need to take care of them. What do you think are the best ways of helping someone else out when they’re dealing with illness?
Well right now my mum isn't doing so well and I just do whatever she asks of me because she doesn't need any more worry or stress to add to her pain. I guess you just need to be there for them and do what they need you to do to ease their pain.
So i think we have established that being sick means staying in bed lots... Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when we get sick. What are some ways of coping with illness while trying to deal with other parts of your life?
Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when we get sick. What are some ways of coping with illness while trying to deal with other parts of your life?
First you have to make sure you are well enough to do anything and if so, limit what you do depending on how well you feel. Never over-do it. Make sure that whatever you are doing, when appropriate, mention to your superiors (ie managers and such) that you are under the weather and I'm sure they'll be understanding.
@N1ghtW1ng good point, i think letting people know you are unwell helps alot, and not taking on too much responsibility. Also knowing when to take time for yourself and trying not to feel guilty that you are sick
Sometimes when the people around us get sick, we need to take care of them. What do you think are the best ways of helping someone else out when they’re dealing with illness?
Ask them if there is anything that they need. It usually involves going to the supermarket and picking some things up for them.
haha yeah i swear i turn into a taxi when my friends are sick @stonepixie
haha. I don't even own a car @SJG! But I'm pretty good with public transport.
I like to cook for my friends when they are sick, and make sure they get to the doctors!!!! And get them tissues and panadol etc.. or movies 🙂
I like to try and do things for them to make life a little bit easier and less stressful (E.g. cook for them, get them lecture notes from uni etc.). I also like to let them know I am thinking of them and there for them if they need anything (E.g. by sending a text or in person if I see them).
Lecture notes!! thats a great one!!! @delicatedreamer and chocolate is always a winner @redhead
Aside from being alone, I like to have my mum or dad around or at least be able to contact them and know that they will respond. Knowing that they are there for me is enough without actually needing them to be near me physically.
