The management of your condition does not have a universal one size fits all approach. What works for me, works because I am me. The same can be said for you. Society, your social network, and your culture all have a profound impact on how well you cope with your condition. They are the surrounding variables that play a huge part.
The people you are surrounded by can have a massive impact. Sometimes they can drain your energy, and other times become your biggest champion. It’s down to you to decide who to bring on to your team to help you manage your condition. You’ll need to consider if they meet your needs, or if there are other options you should explore. We focus on your state of mind, but your support system needs to be healthy-minded and able to manage their emotions. Healthy people stick together and help each other get healthy.
5 Ways You Can be Impacted by Those Closest to You
The people you are closest to will be the most major influence on your emotional wellbeing and how you cope during chronic illness. This will mainly include your closest family members and friends. There are multiple ways in which they can impact wellbeing. Here are five to consider:
1. Being Present
Ideally, family and friends will make time for you. They should be good listeners and capable of showing you empathy. This can go a long way in helping to alleviate any stress, anxiety, or depression you are experiencing. This could take the form of simply connecting with you over a coffee. However, if family and friends are not capable of being there emotionally, support groups are an alternative to consider.
2. Supportiveness
Family or friends you find to be judgemental are not conducive to improving your physical and emotional health. This can include them assuming that you are faking your illness or just being lazy. This can do a lot of damage to your confidence over time. Conversely, your emotional resilience will be bolstered by being around individuals who encourage you. Ideally, they would empower you to overcome your physical challenges and continue growing as a person.
3. Values
The core values of your immediate family or social circle will be a factor in how you handle your condition emotionally and physically. If for example, they are governed by a sense of unity, this can save you from a lot of isolation and depression. This might include arranging regular group get-togethers or gathering others to rally around you.
4. Expectations
The role you play within your family or community can either hinder or enhance you. Your place in the birth order is one factor which may create expectations from family members. Being born first may mean that you will forever assume a leadership role. Being born later can sometimes mean prioritising the needs of older relatives. Similarly, some friendships overemphasize the needs of one person over another. However, chronic illness is a time that is about you. You and your health come first. Those closest to you would ideally be supportive, at the same time as providing you with the necessary space to rest and adapt.
5. Role models
As motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that “we are the five people we spend the most time with.” If your closest family members or friends constantly exemplify resilience, determination or proactivity, the chances are that some of this will have rubbed off you. The same may be true if you have been surrounded by others who were plagued by limiting self-beliefs or regularly play the victim. Having positive role models will do a lot for your empowerment and emotional wellbeing.
