Many of us have New Year’s resolutions that are forgotten by the end of January or are so overwhelming that we can barely start. But what if we made one simple resolution for next year: to make our health a priority. How can we actually do that?
Here are some suggestions for working through this resolution and creating small changes in 2018 that can help us better manage endometriosis.
What went well this year?
It can be all too easy to look at the year ahead and just focus on what’s next on your list, forgetting how far you’ve come this year.
A wonderful way to start this session off on a positive note is to ask yourself what was better about endometriosis this year or what worked well. Are there habits you’ve established that seemed to help you manage endometriosis, such as avoiding coffee the week before your period or being more honest with your loved ones about your condition? Can you keep these new behaviors going or can you expand on them further?
Reward yourself for how well you’ve done and for any small improvements in your endometriosis and related conditions such as anxiety or depression. Even if in one area you went “backward,” you may now know what doesn’t work or what’s been making you feel worse, and just noticing that is progress.
What did you struggle with this year?
What wasn’t so great about endometriosis this year? I know you want to say everything, but hear me out…
If it turns out that in the above section, you found you were having two weeks out of each month that were relatively pain-free, what was happening with the other two weeks? For me, my PMS gets really bad a week before my period, and the pain on the first two days of my period is pretty terrible. So, maybe I could make that a goal next year — to look into ways to manage my PMS better or even reduce it. There are period trackers, diets, and supplements that can all help with PMS. I could focus my first three months on working out what tools are available to me.
Think about how you want to feel physically and mentally next year. What would it take to get to that? What small changes could you begin to make to help you on that journey? You don’t have to create huge and overwhelming goals. Start with baby steps and see where they take you.
Get knowledgeable
More endometriosis resources exist now than ever before. If you’ve been feeling alone, or you just don’t feel as if you know a lot, make 2018 your year to get in the know. Then use this information to support your healing journey. Here are some of my favorite resources (of course, Endometriosis News is among them):
“Take Control of Your Endometriosis”
“Endometriosis: A Key to Healing and Fertility Through Nutrition”
“Living Well with Endometriosis”
Start that self-care routine
If you’ve been living a hectic lifestyle in 2017, you’ve probably noticed the impact it’s had on your physical and mental health. Chronic stress has been shown to have a negative effect on endometriosis and our well-being in general. The new year could be the time to give yourself some TLC, and as a result, reduce the impact of endometriosis on your well-being.
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Note: Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Endometriosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to endometriosis.