Having a Strategy to Help Manage Chronic Illness

In no way do I reduce the severity of chronic illness to a game or even a puzzle, but they all require a plan and a strategic perspective. Without an approach at how to stay ahead of the illness, the patient is always trying to catch up. A good chess strategy requires thinking at least a step or two ahead of the opponent.

Tools we need to develop a strategy

Sometimes, to keep ahead of illness requires bold change, out of the box creativity, and thorough self-awareness. The individuality of most diseases forces us each to build our own unique collection of tools, resources, and practices. The further that we explore, the wider our selection of resources expands. The more opportunities that we identify, the larger our capacity for these tools will grow.

We must be willing to explore all means of help, be it conventional or slightly irregular, just as long as it isn’t dangerous, reckless, irreversible, or potentially terminal. Embracing modern medicine and eastern medicine is not such a stretch as there is a place for both to exist in a diverse personal health strategy.

Creating your personal roadmap

A great deal of creating your personal roadmap is going to take some trial and error. Some healthcare practitioners may not inspire you or their work just isn’t your cup of tea. Whatever the case, that shouldn’t deter you from keeping on the lookout for your next practice to try.

Each strategy is unique

Like chess, strategies may be creative or conventional. They may take an aggressive tact or a wait and see approach. Depending upon the condition and the individual, the strategy may change at that certain time. We must be responsible for our own care and be willing to critique the quality of our overall care. It is imperative that you can identify when it is time for a second or third opinion or even a fresh team.

Physical, spiritual, or mental, we all need the ability to balance these basic elements of our lives. The challenges of life affect us all differently at various stages of our lives. Rarely do we share the same encounter as our peers.

Managing a chronic condition takes work

Managing and monitoring a chronic condition can be a full-time job. Dedication, repetition, and careful study are all key elements of strict observation to determine just what is working and what could be better. Tweaking the many components of a healthy regimen may take some sacrifice and some dead ends, but it might lead you to something that was out of your comfort zone yet, made a helpful and lasting contribution to improving your condition.