What Makes You Feel Better With Chronic Illness?

[susanep]

Hello Everyone,

I thought I would ask you all what you do that makes you feel better about yourself while living with the chronic illnesses?

Including things like clothes, makeup, hair, etc.

It helps me some if I try to get dressed up a bit. Or something new to wear that fits correctly, and is pretty. I love light scents that make me feel good, but not over whelming.

Hugs,
susanep 

[Carebear]

I love nature.  No judgment or unrealistic expectations from animals, birds or trees.  Just beauty.  One thing I have noticed after all these years of being ill, I have a greater appreciation for the little things.

[susanep]

Carebear I sure do feel that way too about the little things, simple things. They have become my big things. I also love love nature. I love all the animals little and big. They are so innocent, and just being who they are.

I do feel blessed to have seen these things in such a deeper way than I would have before being ill with a chronic illness.

I have thought at times that being chronically ill makes a person look at what are the real priorities in ones life.

Hugs,
susanep

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I concentrate on what I CAN do rather than what I can't. Good days I make sure I go for a walk. Want to keep moving. Once a week I go to a choir that I have been going to for 10 years now. We try to get the singing right but we also have a good laugh when we are there. Laughter is good medicine!

I don't care about hair and clothes. When I was in good shape for them, I didn't have the money. Now I genuinely don't care. It's good because shopping for clothes is a nightmare anyway. Get totally exhausted in the changing room so now I buy from charity shops - and things can go back if I get them home and they don't fit - or I shop online. Don't do a lot of it anyway.

Cannot wear make-up as I developed a perfume allergy so I can't spend a lot of time near other people with make-up or hairspray either. They give me eczema! keeps me away from a lot of household products too so I do a minimum of housework. (Hubby does more - and washes floors and things when I'm out)

I spend a lot of time online and enjoy people I meet there. Keep in touch with my kids online too. I like card making and scrapbooking - both fairly sedentary activities.

When the kids were little - and I had no diagnoses - I used to line up activities for them that I could go and sit and watch rather than doing things that I had to participate in. Luckily I managed to pick things they liked and they all grew up OK.

Take care - Scottie 

[Carolina]

Dear Susan,

Try reading How to Be Sick, by Toni Bernhard, if you haven't yet.  It helps enormously with the entire issue, starting with our 'attitude' which is key.

What helps for me:

1.  Clothes and shoes I like, that make me feel good.  Inexpensive is fine, I order most things on line from Amazon, Chadwicks, etc.
2.  Grooming (nails, hair, make up).
3.  Supportive groups like this, activities I can do (maintaining web sites, organizing book clubs, reading, playing on line games (Word with Friends), keeping up with Facebook friends. 
4.  Having an orderly and clean environment. 
5.  Keeping my medications, and health products organized and easily available.  Putting things in attractive baskets or boxes so they are available, but not looking cluttered.
6.  Planning brief activities that I enjoy, and being willing to 'bow out' if I'm not up to it.
7.  Developing a set of medical professionals I trust and like.
8.  Going to the fitness center for exercise.

From my windows I look out at trees and woods, a brook, bird feeders (my husband keeps them filled), a hummingbird feeder.

I have two cats who keep me company and keep me entertained in many ways.

Keeping up with family and helping where possible.  Today two of our grandchildren Chloe 7 and Sam 12) are at our house since they are sick (I hope it isn't that 'throwing up' virus!) and their little beagle (Luke)  is here too.  So a new element has been introduced to the day!

I go to PT to help with balance issues related to my PN later today.   

My life is rather quiet, and I'm lucky I have a husband to help out.

Hugs,  Elaine

[4Kids]

Gardening 

Also, I love raising babies and taking care of other things. When I can't or won't take care of myself, I will still put my boots on and go clean the babies pen, or make sure they are fed, and interact with all my animals. That gets me exercise and that helps me feel better.  Without that I seem to fall into bump-on-log-syndrome. Then I feel really crappy.

[Katybarstool]

Sunshine makes my life better. I love to sit in my garden and chat with people going by. And my little grandkids love playing in my garden too, which is a bonus. The sunshine definitely makes me feel better and gives me a boost.

We have dreams of moving to Florida if we ever win the lottery

Kathyx

[susanep]

 Also for me, and I know some will have something to say on it, but I love my coffee. Me and hubby enjoy our coffee time. It's not just a cup of coffee, it's an event. 

susanep

[sixty]

The first thing I thought of when reading this thread is the smell of lilacs in my house!  Every year I get to pick the lilacs out of my yard and smell them for a delicious week.  Love love.
Also my rabbit cracks me up when he plays with my dog and cat.

[Carolina]

Wow,sixty,  the smell of lilacs, one of the greatest smells in the world! (they don't grow here because our winters aren't cold enough).

I had a memory the other day of the smell of iris, too, which is wonderful and much 'lighter'.

A rabbit a dog and a cat would be marvelous to watch together!

Coffee is my mainline drug, Susan.

Sunshine makes my life so much better.  That's what I liked about El Paso TX:  80% FULL SUN days.

Ok 4Kids, what 'babies' do you raise in pens?  So interesting!

You all know how to see and enjoy life as it is happening all around you.  That is the best!

Hugs,  Elaine

[irish]

I go through different types of emotions and things that perk me up. The change in seasons is one thing that I enjoy and it is free.

The one thing that never changes is my love of sunsets, full moons and rainbows. After a rain I can look to the East and across a mile of fields to the neighbors who have a nice old house and big old barn. We often get double rainbows over that barn and they are such long big ones that end up at the pot of gold.lol

The thing that perks me up is to get out of the house. I like to go shopping at the Walmart, Menards, etc. I can only take so much though so have to take my pills for my muscle weakness and make sure that I pace myself and don't stay too long. All that fun usually ends up with a lot of fatigue and sitting in the recliner for a few days.

I don't mind driving places by myself so that makes things more simple. I have to admit that at my age and still managing to work in nursing and take care of others), I don't mind being at home. I enjoy certain TV shows and love to read, do research on the computer and visit with family. Every day is a blessing in spite of being under the weather. The good days are really a gift. Irish

I don't morne my past life much anymore and I do believe that age and living through the death of a spouse has really just changed my whole perspective on live. Every morning with a fresh cup of coffee still makes me very happy.

[Kathy57]

Holding my 2 little grandsons (4 months and 7 months old) and rocking them to sleep.  Feeling their sweet, little, chubby, warm, baby bodies close to me makes my heart overflow with love and thanksgiving.  When they are awake, I can't stop talking to them and I know they are listening!  And they coo back to me!

For me there is nothing that can top that grandmotherly feeling.  I start to remember when my children were their age and I wonder where the time went?

Now my son will be getting married in less than two weeks.  My only son and my last child to "tie the knot".  I have been feeling okay recently.  Not great but okay.  Just need to keep feeling good through to the wedding! 

Kathy

[4Kids]

Hi Elaine!

We raise calves, a beef calf and a dairy cross calf, we have baby chicks, ducklings, baby kitties, and whatever else ends up giving birth around our little farm. I am really hoping for some goat babies too. 

[susanep]

Lilacs are the best. Oh and they smell so nice. ummmm.

I would love to have some chickens for laying eggs. My grand parents raised large houses of chickens when I was growing up. They were some of the chicken growers for meat that went out to the stores.

Later as I was a teen my parents took over for them, and became chicken growers until my mothers health started becoming a problem. So I was around this a lot with lots of fond memories.

I do not desire to become a chicken grower as it was called then, but just a coop to have some chickens for laying eggs. I use to help my grandma gather eggs when I was 6 years old.

I could manage with just that to take care of, and find such pleasure in it.

Hugs,
susanep

[Suslew]

I recently had four Nigerian dwarf goats give birth.  Nine frolicking kids, six doelings and 3 bucklings.  They are so much fun!  Even if all I can do is sit with them, they end up on my lap and nibbling my clothes.