6 tips for coping with chronic illness in the winter

Last week I shared some tools that can help people with chronic illness keep warm with the long cold winter. I received so much great feedback about dealing with winter and chronic illness that this week I have some general tips on what you can do to cope. When winter hits it can cause both physical challenges and mental/emotional ones, so here’s a few things to keep in mind:

1. Get out of the house when possible

This is a tricky one because getting out of the house isn’t always possible, but it’s important to take the opportunities when you have them. If you can get out of the house, even though you might not want to, try to motivate yourself to go for it. This is easier said than done of course, but it can really help with mental health.

2. Have something fun to look forward to

I love having something to look forward to, even if that’s something that’s six months away. Having a happy thought to get you through the winter can be beneficial. It gives you something to focus on besides being cold and miserable. Having a sense of anticipation helps to bringing a little more excitement to life. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, it can be something small and simple, something that simply makes you happy.

3. Keep yourself warm

This was the top coping tip mentioned by my blog readers when I asked. People used various different strategies such as:

• remote starting their car before they had to go somewhere
• winterizing their home so it’s more heat efficient
• always wearing layers, even when they’re inside the home
• minimizing exposure to the elements
• wearing boots around the house
• taking warm baths/showers
• drinking hot drinks
• using an infrared sauna
• heated rice bags
• making soup

4. Don’t forget about the good things

I almost didn’t add this one because it drives me crazy when people in pain are told to “just be positive!” It’s almost always used to shut down the legitimate concerns of someone who is suffering. However, despite people using positivity as a weapon, it really is helpful to have a good attitude. This doesn’t mean pushing aside all the bad things and pretending they aren’t there, this means keeping an eye out for the little things and trying to focus on those. For example, one thing I love about winter is I don’t have to sweat while I’m using my heating pad. I can also take a hot bath without having to set up my box fan to blow in my face so I don’t overheat. I try to remember that I may not love being stuck inside, but at least I’m not sweating anymore.

5. Make your home a place you want to be

When the weather is bad you’re more likely to be stuck at home. How you feel in your home can make a huge difference.

When the weather is dark and cold you're more likely to be stuck at home. How you feel in your home can make a huge difference so make sure your home is a place where you want to be. Click To Tweet

This is my favorite place in my house. It doesn’t look like much, but this chair is the most comfortable thing I own. We got it secondhand and we’ve had it ourselves for 9 years, so it’s faded and a little scratched up, but it is the perfect chair. I also love that my spot is surrounded by bookshelves because books make me happy. It’s also right by the window so I can enjoy the sun.

Everyone has a favorite space in their house, make sure yours is one you can enjoy. Whether it’s by the window, in your bedroom, or at the kitchen table, find a place that makes you happy.

6. Remember that this too shall pass

Winter does not last forever. One of the best things about living somewhere that has four seasons is that you know that things will eventually change. Slowly the snow will start to melt and then you’ll see the flowers start to come out, and then the sun will come back. The cold and dark winter will go away, the world will seem brighter, and it will be easier for you go out.

How do you deal with chronic pain and bad weather?