I’ve been meeting with stroke support groups recently. A common theme has emerged in our discussions: this pandemic disrupted the lives of the stroke survivors. And returning to routine during the pandemic has been difficult. One gentleman described how he was active before the stroke. He volunteered and made regular visits to the gym. Since …
Do you have a scarcity mindset with a chronic disability? Would you rather have an abundance mindset? And how do you get there? First, let’s define scarcity and abundance. Simply put, a scarcity mindset is looking at things as half-empty or having lots of negative thoughts. An abundant mindset is looking at the glass half …
What is the connection between habits and circumstances when living with a chronic condition? If you are someone living with a chronic condition, or a family caregiver, how would you describe your current circumstances? Overwhelming and beyond your control? Or calm and fulfilling? What are your daily habits? And how do habits influence your circumstances? …
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Did you know that stress, from any cause, can directly affect your blood sugar levels? So, if you are a caregiver with diabetes, it’s important to understand the connection between caregiver stress and diabetes. In my last blog, I talked about the roots causes of caregiver stress: poor mental health. This may come from worry, …
Stress is one of those words that is both big and vague. Stress feels big because of the weight that it can bring with it. There is a burden we feel on our shoulders when we are stressed. And vague in that it encompasses so many different thoughts and feelings. We may not know exactly …
As 2020 finally came to an end, many will say that it was the most stressful year they can remember: a pandemic economic collapse sickness, death and fear stress with virtual school isolation from families and friends a political election. For many of you, that stress was on top of the stress you were already …
We know that eating healthy food is good for us…but do we understand why? Does eating healthy affect more than our weight? The answer is yes. Doctors are increasingly promoting food as medicine. Research is showing that healthy food can prevent disease and health problems. But food can also be considered medicine for managing a …
Up to 90% of strokes could be prevented with lifestyle medicine behaviors. Examples include eating a good diet, stopping smoking and getting more physical activity. But what if you have already had a stroke? Can lifestyle medicine help chronic stroke too? Does physical activity, healthy eating, no smoking and good sleep really help manage chronic …
What is lifestyle medicine for chronic disease? And how might it help or apply to your circumstances? During a health crisis, we often try to address physical suffering first. This might include traditional medicine and science. For example, working with your doctors. Taking medications. Undergoing surgery. Participating in therapy. You work with a healthcare professional …
When living with a chronic condition, you may be overwhelmed with the day to day management. The same can be true if you are a caregiver to someone with a chronic condition or disability. You may feel there is no time for self-care. However, nurturing your soul may be key to managing these difficult times. …