It can be hard for people living with chronic illness to create a consistent routine. This is because our chronic pain and fatigue fluctuates daily and sometimes moment to moment. We may have the best of intentions, but creating healthy habits and maintaining them is so hard. However, setting up a routine is not impossible if you’re flexible and plan well.
Here are some ways to do this:
- Keep it simple. Identify one small action you can start implementing. Plan to do something easy to incorporate into your life. This will help to increase the likelihood that you will do it.
- Make the habit relevant and meaningful. Do something that matters to you, not to your partner, best friend, therapist or medical provider. Remember meaningful doesn’t always mean enjoyable or even easy.
- Figure out when best to do what you set out to do. Choose a time where you have energy and are not as sore. On those unpredictable times when you feel pain or are very tired, be flexible and tuck your inner critic away.
- Reassess how you’re doing at the end of the week. Decide what works and what doesn’t. learn from your previous rhythms and energy fluctuations and honor them.
- Identify less physically and/or mentally demanding activities that you can substitute for your target routine on days when you feel tired. Perhaps break the duration/how long you do your habit.
- Reward yourself for a job well done. Watch a movie or go out for lunch—anything that will put a smile on your face. This will encourage you to keep doing your habit for another reward.
By taking these steps, you will be strengthening your routine. Try it with self-compassion and self-love.
Living With Chronic Illness 