Revitalise Naturally: Boosting Energy for Chronic Illness Patients

Living with a chronic illness feels like an uphill battle.

And this is especially true when it comes to maintaining energy.

Some days having the energy to have a shower feels like a mountain hike.

But there are things we can do as chronic illness sufferers.

And when I say things I’m talking about small things.

In this post, we’ll discuss holistic ways to enhance energy levels for those with chronic conditions.

Embrace a Holistic Lifestyle

When I talk about holistic ways, I’m talking about looking at the whole picture.

For instance, my diseases are related to my immune system, hormones, muscles and skeletal system.

I could focus on each individually, but I have to address the whole picture.

The whole, being my mind, body, and spirit.

This is vital for boosting energy and can make a world of difference when managing chronic fatigue.

Now with chronic illness comes chronic fatigue, and the worst thing to do with chronic fatigue is pushing our bodies!

We don’t want to spend all of the itsy bitsy energy we have.

And that’s why we need to keep things small!!!

Start with small lifestyle changes.

This could be 5 minutes of gentle exercise like walking or yoga, which can improve circulation and energy flow without overexerting your body.

This may seem small, but this could be huge for your energy levels!

Boosting Energy Levels Through Diet

And it’s not only exercise, what you eat can significantly impact how you feel.

Consuming a balanced diet rich in whole foods is an effective natural energy booster for managing chronic illness.

So start incorporating nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Is this a complete diet change?

No!!

Remember the word “incorporate”.

We’re adding to our existing diet.

And don’t forget water.

It’s important to stay hydrated—water is your best friend!

We’re aiming for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day.

And this doesn’t have to be water!

Try herbal teas like ginger or peppermint for an extra pick-me-up.

Mindful Relaxation Techniques

Stress!!

It comes with chronic illness territory.

Our chronic illness conditions drain us and this causes stress, and the stress caused by our chronic illness drains our energy.

So all in all, this leads to a constant loop of stress and lack of energy!

But my chronic illness friend, we must break this loop!

And to do this we can try…

Oooo, let’s tread carefully when I say this [note to myself].

To do this we can try…

Mindfulness and relaxation.

Phew, I managed to say it!

Ok, so why am I being so cautious when I say the M and R words?

Well, I realised that everyone and their cats and dogs have recommended the M and R words to you and you’re probably sick of hearing it. 

Ooo, I wrote a post about this too, and as a trained yoga teacher who can no longer practice yoga the way I used to, I’m sick of the constant recommendations too.

You can read it here after reading this post.

Anyway, mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or even a short nap can work wonders.

We need rest, and not necessarily to fall asleep.

Sleep when you’re in pain is not easy. And the lack of sleep will be causing more energy pangs.

But you can rest!!!

Meditation and relaxation practices will allow your body to rest.

And more importantly, meditation and relaxation will allow your…

…busy mind to rest!!!

So this is not only about your body, resting your mind will help boost energy levels and promote your well-being.

Keep it small

The mistake lots of us make is going all in on something.

We aim to go to the gym every day, change everything we eat to “healthy food”, or aim to sit and meditate for an hour, and this is the…

Wrong approach!!!

Throughout this post, I’ve emphasised the word “small”.

Remember, small changes can lead to significant improvements in energy levels.

We can’t be spending too many chronic illness energy coins.

So embrace these lifestyle shifts by keeping things small and staying positive.

If you can do this you’ll be on your way to a healthier, more energised chronic illness life!

Cheryl  🙂 👋

References

• American Psychological Association –
  Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress

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