A lot of people appreciate their sick days, taking the time to pamper themselves and binge-watch television while they get over their cold. When you’re taking sick days or rest breaks on the regular, though, the normal sick day activities get old very quickly. Plus, you’re probably dealing with something a little more intense than a case of the sniffles.

With that being said, it’s incredibly important to pay attention to what you do with your time. You’ll want to pick activities that match your various energy levels while entertaining you, distracting you from your symptoms, making you feel productive, or any other need you have at the time.

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Friends and family are super important in your adventures with chronic illness—good relationships can sustain you through hard times, while poor ones can make everything a little bit harder. Many spoonies say that when they first got sick, they learned exactly who their real friends were very quickly. That being said, even the best of friends and the most well-meaning of family members will need a little help in order to best help you.

One of the most important things, you’ll find, is the ability to clearly state what you need. This can be hard (especially if you’ve never needed to negotiate in your relationships), but it’s absolutely worth the trouble. Being able to discuss your needs requires two steps: [Read more…]