Managing a chronic health condition can be overwhelming and feel like a full-time job due to the daily tasks involved in medication management, symptom monitoring, and regular provider appointments. Balancing these responsibilities alongside other self-care needs like sleep, exercise, and nutrition can be challenging but there are ways to make it easier.
Experts like Amanda Lane, RD, CDCES, and Christynne Helfrich, PT, recommend taking shortcuts and simplifying your routine to make managing a chronic illness more manageable. Here are six tips to help make your life easier:
1. Keep meal planning simple: Stick to tried-and-true recipes with a few ingredients that are easy to prepare. Focus on quick and nutritious meal ideas like bean and veggie quesadillas, scrambled eggs, or protein bowls.
2. Organize and plan: Arrange your fridge and pantry for easy access to ingredients, and spend some time meal planning at the beginning of each week. Use grocery delivery services to save time and money.
3. Go for convenience: On days when you can’t prepare meals, opt for grab-and-go options like rotisserie chicken or healthy frozen dinners. Consider meal delivery kits for nutritious meals delivered to your door.
4. Build in reminders: Use pill boxes, pharmacy apps, or phone reminders to stay on track with medications. Set reminders for movement throughout the day to help decrease sedentary time.
5. Adapt exercise to your comfort level: Find movements that feel good and are pain-free to help relax your nervous system. Incorporate both cardio and strength training to improve mood, sleep, and overall health.
6. Enlist a partner: Exercising with a friend can make it more enjoyable and help you stay motivated. Prioritize activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good, even if it’s just a short walk outside.
By implementing these minimal-effort strategies, you can make managing your chronic illness easier and improve your overall wellness.
