#EmpowermentThroughStruggle

[drblied]

Finding Strength in the Journey: Chronic Illness Resilience Tips from Dr. Blied

Living with chronic illness means that managing symptoms is a daily part of my life. As someone who navigates living with lupus and fibromyalgia, I’ve developed strategies that help me balance my roles as a mother, wife, and clinician, while attempting to live gracefully with chronic illness.

Here are some practical approaches rooted in both science and my lived experiences:

1. Energy Pacing as an Act of Self-Respect: Learning to balance activity and rest helps prevent symptom flare-ups. I encourage creating a "daily energy budget" to focus on high-priority activities without depleting yourself.

2. Mindfulness Meditation as a Pain Management Tool: Evidence suggests that mindfulness practices can reduce symptoms, improve coping, and enhance overall quality of life across various health conditions (Greeson & Chin, 2019). So, set a timer for just 2 minutes and take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, if you have access to do this. While breathing, think about your favorite place that you have been or want to visit (a room, a park, a beach, the forest) and visualize every detail that you can about that place. Invite all 5 senses into your visualization of this place. When the timer ends, return to your day feeling a little more relaxed and calmer. 

3. Building Community for Emotional Support: Chronic illness can be isolating. I advocate for connecting with others who understand the journey, offering a blend of clinical advice and personal insights on finding supportive communities. For example, Lupus LA has virtual support groups for lupus patients and their caregivers globally: https://lupusla.org/support-groups/. 4. Self-Compassion and Honoring Your Limits: No matter what each day looks like, remember to treat yourself with kindness and grace. Living with physical limitations and pain can cause extreme frustration. My mentor once told me: accept your limitations as God's gifts. After rolling my eyes, I reflected on the wisdom of this advice. When things feel out of your control, it is an opportunity for you to lean more into your faith and treat yourself with much more compassion. Your best will look different each day, and that is always okay. 

Discover helpful resources in the Faces of Health app, which is designed to help you track and improve your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The AuDHD Strong app is another resource that can help neurodivergent individuals improve executive functioning and better manage stress with research-backed tools.

Download Faces of Health now from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. And Download AuDHD Strong now from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. I also invite you to explore the Empowerment Through Understanding: Adult ADHD and Autism Modules here for insights and practical strategies to help you thrive.

For more valuable insights, I encourage you to explore my blog at https://drblied.com/blog/. For a selection of wellness resources, please visit the resources page on my website at https://drblied.com/resources/.

Reference

Greeson, J. M., & Chin, G. R. (2019). Mindfulness and physical disease: A concise review. Current Opinion in Psychology, 28, 204–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.014

[howzone]

Jen Myers Y98 Cancer Journey: A Story of Strength and Resilience

In this heartfelt video, we explore the inspiring journey of Jen Myers from Y98 as she faces her battle with cancer. Many of her listeners and fans have been touched by her story, and in this video, we’ll dive into the details of her diagnosis, treatment, and the powerful messages she shares.

Key Highlights:

What is it Jen Myers Y98 cancer? We discuss the specifics of Jen's diagnosis, the type of cancer she is fighting, and what it means for her life and career.

Jen Myers Y98 Cancer: Learn how Jen has used her platform to raise awareness about cancer and inspire others facing similar challenges. We will share clips from her shows, showcasing her candid discussions about her experiences, treatments, and the support she has received from her community.

Community Support: Discover how fans and fellow listeners have rallied around Jen, organizing fundraisers and sending messages of love and encouragement.

Awareness and Education: Jen’s story emphasizes the importance of early detection and open conversations about cancer. We’ll provide insights into the symptoms and screenings that can help others stay informed.

Resilience and Hope: Through her journey, Jen has demonstrated incredible strength and resilience. We’ll highlight key moments where she has inspired others to stay positive and proactive about their health.

Join us as we celebrate Jen Myers and her courageous fight against cancer. This video aims not only to inform but also to uplift and motivate those who may be going through similar experiences.