A RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CHRONIC BODY

I recently read the blog post “How to Have a Healthy Relationship with your Body, Even with Chronic Illness” written by Sheryl Chan of The Chronic Voice (https://www.achronicvoice.com/2018/02/05/healthy-relationship-body-chronic-illness/).  Sheryl explored the idea that the relationship we have with our bodies echoes the relationship we have with other people.  This gave me a new perspective on my journey of maintaining a balanced life with chronic illnesses.

As I recall from a Human Development class I took in college, the components of a healthy relationship are:  trust, open communication, intimacy, commitment, and respect.  These factors can be applied to how the conscious mind works with the physical body.

1. Trust – This is a difficult element for one with Chronic Illness. For example, in a normal body when one eats carbohydrates the pancreas secretes insulin to off-set the increase in blood sugar to keep the blood sugar stable.  In my case with Diabetes, my body does not secrete insulin.  I need to inject insulin in my body so my blood sugar will stay stable.  Therefore, my body is dependent on me to supply its needs.  My body needs to trust I will give it what it needs and I need to trust myself to provide it.  Taking all of my medicines regularly will ensure my body functions to the optimum level.

 

2. Open communication – With Psoriatic Arthritis I need to pace my activities in order to prevent a flair up of pain. If I am not doing well when I wake in the morning I need to limit my activities for the remainder of the day in order to decrease the pain level.  To add another example in regards to Diabetes, when I don’t eat my blood sugar goes down.  If it goes too far down I can pass out.  It is important for me to eat to maintain normal blood sugar.  This means it is crucial for me to listen when my body sends me warnings.

 

3. Intimacy – Wow! I definitely am intimate with my body.  I know every part of my body and what causes me pain.  I can identify when new ailments occur which helps in preventing complications of my illnesses in the future.

 

4. Commitment – I need to be committed to giving my body the proper nutrients and limit sugar and carbohydrates to keep it functioning well. In addition it is important I keep moving my body (exercise) in order to prevent further deterioration of my joints due to Arthritis.  Furthermore, I need to be committed to taking my medications regularly to prevent further difficulties in the future such as taking my antidepressants to avoid a Depression episode.

 

5. Respect – This ties into communication, listening to the signals my body is giving me. I understand that my body can no longer function in the same way it did before I developed the chronic illnesses.  I need to respect my body’s boundaries.

 

This new outlook has opened my eyes to how much mind does control matter.  I am much more aware and in tune to how my behavior affects my overall health.  I feel this will make a significant difference in how I approach taking care of my body.