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Article written by Perry Johanssen

Thriving With a Chronic Condition: An Actionable, Holistic Guide to Self-Improvement

Living with chronic health conditions can be a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to cast a shadow over your entire life. This article is a specially tailored self-improvement guide for people facing daily health challenges. 

By delving into these carefully curated strategies, you can pave the way for a life filled with well-being, joy, and meaning. Below, Carmen McKnight, MA, explores various avenues to lift your spirits and enhance your life while accommodating your unique health needs!

Get Support for Sobriety if Necessary

If you face the dual challenges of a chronic health condition and addiction, consider seeking sobriety through a rehabilitation program. Engaging in such a program can significantly improve your mental and physical well-being. 

The journey to sobriety is made more accessible by the various available resources and treatment options, including free US rehabilitation centers. Taking this step is brave and instrumental in your overall path to improved health.

Prioritize Physical Activity 

Regular physical exercise is fundamental to well-being, especially for those with chronic health conditions. Exercise doesn’t mean running a marathon; it means participating in activities that suit your current state of health. 

Consulting a healthcare professional can provide you with guidance on exercises that are both safe and beneficial for you. Technology like fitness trackers can monitor your physical activity and provide valuable feedback, keeping you motivated and informed.

Cultivate Positivity by Socializing

Cultivating positive social connections can significantly elevate your well-being, mainly when dealing with chronic health issues. The power of positivity shines brightest when surrounded by friends who uplift and support you, so consider organizing a small gathering or a casual meet-up to deepen these crucial bonds. 

As you navigate the complexities of chronic health, the comfort and camaraderie of a supportive social circle are indispensable. Check this option out for added convenience and a personalized touch. You can leverage user-friendly online platforms to create customized invitations that make each social interaction even more special.

Fuel Your Body

The food you eat directly impacts how you feel physically and mentally. Consuming a nutrient-rich diet can be a game-changer, mainly when living with a chronic condition. 

Consider meeting with a nutritionist who can help you craft a diet plan tailored to your needs. Utilize apps that can track your nutritional intake and offer food suggestions, enabling you to take control of your health in a new and empowering way.

Enhance Your Mind-Body Harmony

Yoga is a holistic practice that incorporates both physical poses and mindfulness. It offers multiple benefits, such as improved flexibility and a serene mind, which are invaluable when dealing with chronic health issues. Many online platforms offer specialized yoga classes for those with health concerns, allowing you to practice in the comfort of your own home.

Stay Hydrated 

Hydration is often overlooked but is crucial for the optimal function of your body. Maintaining proper hydration can alleviate many symptoms, especially for those with chronic health conditions. Smart water bottles that track your intake and remind you to drink can be valuable in managing your health.

Although chronic health conditions have unique challenges, they don’t have to define your existence. You can take active steps towards a better, more fulfilling life by integrating regular exercise, maintaining a support network, eating nutrient-rich foods, and following the other tips above. 

Every individual’s journey is unique, and you can adapt these strategies to suit your specific situation. Move forward at your own pace, and open yourself to the enriching experiences that await you!
Would you like to read more helpful content or access other health resources? Visit the Carmen McKnight blog today!

perry.johanssen@lifetrainer.org

Printre lanurile amintirilor, cadem toti prada timpurilor, care o data ne-au colindat si multe lucruri ne-au invatat. Personal, ca o gaina cu pui mici, adun in suflet momente istorice, in care voi ati fost agricultorii iar Dumnezeu a fost scriitorul.

Incepand de la bloc in Hunedoara unde am crescut, colegi de bloc, vecini si altii cu care timp am petrecut, mi-au transformat viata cat de cat: ca de exemplu cei de sub noi, etajul unul, familia Stancu, oameni buni, Familia Buitureanu, Badragan si Bardan, Pentiuc Sorin si Familia Sucilea, Maria Hock, Anisoara, Ibi, Lia, tanti Lidia Cioana si familia ei, si cei de la etajul 3, de peste noi, Szekely Csaba, amu varsta ma face sa uit multe nume si nu-i fain de fel, si mai era pe scara B la 1 un artis si sotia lui care o indrageam si eu, si la 2 sub Bardanii era Kovaci Gabi, unul din colengul meu, si mai era si Spanu Stefan, coleg de banca si Ion Zimmerman, un alt coleg prin cartier. Si tanti Sanda, si peste drum in blocul cu Magnolia era un cuplu fain de la biserica de care iara am uitat a lor nume, si Mihaela care sa casatorit cu unul a lui Sucilea, si Geta de la 4, care statea deasupra lui Cioana, si multi altii ca Mimi de la parter. Parca era. Ehh… copilarie cu drag te-am asteptat si mult prea repede tu ai plecat.

Pe urma am crescut colegi de banca in General 11 si Liceu am cam avut ca Rasina Florina, Muntean Claudia, Loredana, si Geanina, Lupu Carmen si Vintea Mihaela, si multi, multi altii ca Perta Florina, si uite-asa am colectat noi note bune si cateva mai rele dar si amintiri care ne-au invatat ce inseamna a vietii petale.

Ah pe urma la biserica sus la Penticostali, aha, acolo doamne cat de multe eu am invatat, si oameni cumsecade care m-au influentat am intalnit ca de exemplu, familiile Seman, Crisan, Carp, Hada si Muresan, Negreci, Popovici si Stoienoiu unde mult ne-am adunat, Zagraianu, Ban, Tofan, Ciupei, Irimia si Vintea, Pricop, Ibanisteanu, Obrejan, Kovacs, Bocse, Marcoi, si Ciobanu, Turculet, Neamtu, Gherman, Radeanu, Furdui, si Termen, familia Bojoga, fratele Puiu si Filip si a lor familii, Ema, Geta, Lee (Ramona), Dorina Birz, Ema, si altii care varsta si creierul numele au cam uitat.

Pe urma in America eu m-am mutat si alta latura a vietii am intampinat cu-a mea noua familie McKnight mult timp am petrecut. De-alungul anilor multi Americani am intalnit dar cei care-au ramas sunt mult de pretuit: familiile Staab, Smith, Meldrum, Grant, Zhuc, Atanasov, Harris, Malkasian si Panasyuk, si multi romani dar mentionez doar unii ca familia Iriminescu, Bucur, Perian, si Hertog (Gabi special wink for you:), Saulea, Toma, Mioc, Novenschi, Monica Plev, Gizella Badan si Teodora Mailat, Pe Macavei in Germania i-am intalnit, si multi din Rusia, Ukraina, si Bulgaria, dar nu-i mai pomenesc acuma. Ba da pe Miha si Ovi Halmeagean aici in America i-am intailnit si alti oameni asa deosebiti.

Sa nu mai zic de a mea structura si radacina, adica familia din care fac parte, e cam larga:) Sunt Dameanii, Anitei, Anita, Lavric si Roratiu, Macovei, Lenghten Mirela, Amaracutei si Pinzariu, ba si de am uitat vre unul spuneti-mi va rog sa va alatur si pe voi!

Si uite-asa in viata oameni fel de fel noi intalnim, unii ne da un ghimpe, altii cununi de in, si cateodata plangem iara alta data mai si zambim, dar multumesc lui Dumnezeu, care o viata, ca un cadou, mi-a dat si multe lucruri am tot invatat. Amu, eu va doresc numai frumoase multumiri, sa-veti parte de-ale vietii bucurii:)

Cu drag, eu-

You’re an angel, sent by God to help others, but the Dark Side has been convincing you for years that you’re a devil. This is the true battle. -Carmen McKnight

durere, durere, trăiești în tăcere

de multe ori;

suspine, suspine, ești ca un ghimpe în mine,

de multe ori;

tăcere, tăcere, tronezi cu putere

de multe ori;

și cei ce-au trăit, mor mult prea rapid,

de multe ori; 

dar Domnul divin, alină-acest suspin

de multe ori;

și El ne învață, să nu pierdem speranță

de multe ori;

căci sus în cer, El este etern, și credem,

de multe ori;

dar lupta aici, ne doboară pe brânci, 

de multe ori;

și viața e grea, vorbirea și starea

de multe ori;

dar Domnul trăiește, și mult ne amintește,

de multe ori;

ca să nu fim singuri, triști și nesiguri

de multe ori;

al lui copil ești, deși războiești

de multe ori,

hai vino acasă, mireasă, frumoasă.- Carmen McKnight 

The third set of twins in our family arrived Friday, May 26th, 2023:) Everyone is well, and we’re so happy:) Nicole finally has her girl!!!!! Meet Mathias and Martha.

After some complications, Cornelia is finally back home with the twins! Although the faces show signs of a battle, they also show victory and happiness. Thank you to all who prayed for her and I thank God for a job well done:)

God Bless:)

Talking to a friend recently about the reality of a healing process, more precisely, the ugly parts of healing, inspired me to write this blog.

heal

verb

ˈhēl 

healed; healing; heals

Synonyms of healing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make free from injury or disease: to make sound or whole

heal a wound

b

: to make well again: to restore to health

heal the sick

2

a

: to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome: MEND

the troubles … had not been forgotten, but they had been healed—William Power

b

: to patch up or correct (a breach or division)

heal a breach between friends

3

: to restore to original purity or integrity

healed of sin-https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heal

Easier said than done. Right? You read the book, listen to the motivational video, change your diet, buy the right supplements, and expect the miracle of healing to slap you strong right away. Instead, your car breaks down on the way to the doctor, you forget if you took your medicine and debate how bad double-dosing will be for your body, so you choose to skip it, your body itches, hurts, aches and throbs, your heart is heavy, broken, fatigued, your parents expect too much from you, so do your children and spouses, the lawn needs to be mowed again, the garden watered and “what am I going to cook for dinner tonight?” is the question that haunts you very afternoon. Those are the usual challenges. But when you have to deal with a narcissistic parent, abusive spouse, and ungrateful or hateful co-worker who takes their health and independence for granted and expects you to do the same, it drains all the positive work you’ve done on yourself. It leaves you furious, disheartened, and disappointed with life, people, and everything. You rage, scream, cry, and plead because, at the end of the day, all you’ve ever wanted is to feel good in your body, mind, and soul. None of the prayers worked, God seems gone on vacation, the support group is either non-existent or fatigued with you and all your perceived BS: maybe you’re making this up, maybe you don’t have enough faith, maybe you’re just an attention seeker, or maybe you lack imagination and drive so you choose to get attention via your “pretend” illness.

These elements are also part of healing, everpresent hiccups, step-backs, and irritating interferences. One can’t change a life-long habit without reversing the things known and comfortable. The key is to move forward again and again until you make it. Some days this odd progress is entirely knit from one step forward, one step back. No worries, keep going. Keep learning new ways to heal, and leave the destructive parts of oneself behind. Keep going towards the final goat.

It takes time to change something and effort not to return to the old ways of thinking and acting.

God Bless