Taking a leadership role in managing your illness is imperative especially when it comes to treatment, symptom management and working with your team of medical professionals. You may have created a system on how and when to use these resources to their optimum. But what happens to the feelings that come about with your illness? How do you deal with how you…feel?

Again, leadership is key. There are many different factors associated with chronic illness which can be frustrating, cause stress or leave you feeling anxious–from not being able to work and feel productive to the change in family dynamics. Factors including financial stress and the difficulty in finding a diagnosis make it harder to deal with the symptoms of chronic illness.

It may feel as if you are losing control of everything, but this is the time to take charge and take control of how you cope. It is safe to say that getting a handle on anxiety is crucial to improving overall wellbeing. We have crafted a toolbox of resources that will help you manage those feelings and control how you handle your illness.

Coaching Illness and Frustration: 4 Tools to Use

Illness and feelings of frustration go hand in hand. Frustration is not just about feeling restricted. There are many different factors associated with chronic illness which can be frustrating from not being able to work and feel productive to the change in family dynamics. Factors including financial stress and the difficulty in finding a diagnosis make it harder to deal with the symptoms of chronic illness.

It is draining and lonely to look fine on the outside and be broken on the inside. Many of us also feel very isolated. Even though you crave social interactions, your symptoms make it very difficult and at times impossible to talk on the phone or type an email or go online. Frustrations from the daily struggle to deal with symptoms and trying to perform simple daily tasks can affect a person’s mood and lead to depression and/or anxiety

Setbacks are also a trigger for feelings of frustration. There may be times when you think you are making progress. You are feeling better. Your test results have improved. You can do more, then it hits you. All that progress and you have seemingly gone back ten steps. Accepting the feelings of frustration and creating a toolbox of coping skills means that frustration does not have to last. There are ways to cope and maybe use it to your advantage.

1. Mindfulness

Practising mindful meditation will help you to relax and pause with your thoughts.

Try sitting with the feeling of frustration. Rather than resist it, embrace it.

What is it telling you? 

Does it grow into anger?

How powerful is that and how might you be able to utilise that power?

Being mindful can also mean letting go. Let go of the outcome if there are certain activities that you are not able to perform right now. Does that mean this will never be able to? Refocus your mind and savour the moment you are in. Forgive yourself for not meeting your standard of perfection.

2. Mindset

Think about an event that has caused you frustration.

What are your thoughts about it?

How did your thoughts affect your emotions?

For example, maybe you wanted to go for a thirty-minute walk but could only manage ten minutes. Did you fail, or were your expectations too high? Let go of what you cannot control and focus on what you can control.

Events do not cause emotions. Thoughts about events cause emotions like frustration. Try resetting your expectations of yourself. Your thoughts will change and so will your emotions.

3. Mentality

Examine your approach to illness. Is this happening to you, or are you trying to make things happen? The first is a more passive form of thinking. The latter indicates a more proactivity mentality.

If you take the role of the passenger, you give up control of your journey and this is more likely to leave you feeling frustrated at times. However, if you are the one who is driving, you become a leader. You may have to break journey and re-strategize the route, but at least you know that you are in charge

 As much as your strength and energy may be limited, you are still able to become a leader. It is more of a mentality than just a behaviour. 

What can you do still?

Is there a destination you have in mind?

How can you turn your frustration into energy and use it to fuel your journey?

4. Management

Try establishing which strengths and skills you still possess.

How can they best serve you to cope?

How do you need to plan around potential obstacles?

What do you need to prioritize?

Do you need to modify or abbreviate any activities for now, so that you can still perform them effectively and not feel frustrated?

Is there a way you can recalibrate your expectations?

Try setting some achievable goals and small wins.

We invite you to share your feedback with us. Have you tried any of these before? Have you tried anything different? What has worked for you? What has not worked?

Is there anything else you would like for us to cover?

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Our website is www.illnesscoaching.com

Find our page on Facebook under MPower Illness Coaching, where you can join our community. You will see have a recorded video version of this blog on our YouTube Channel. MPower Illness Coaching

As always, if you are experiencing any severe medical or psychological symptoms, we always recommend you speak directly to a qualified professional.

Thank you for checking in with us and we’ll see you again soon.