By Harvard Health Publishing staff — 2017
Don’t accept regular fatigue as part of aging.
Read on www.health.harvard.edu
CLEAR ALL
With each diagnosis, knowing her life hung in the balance, she was “stunned, then anguished” and astonished by “how much energy it takes to get from the bad news to actually starting on the return path to health.”
In the beginning, it was difficult to let myself rest, even with the ultimate doctor’s note. I felt like I still had to push past my (extremely limited) capabilities. I had to practice slowing down and allowing my frailties to become visible even when I had the choice to hide them.
I couldn’t keep “proving everyone wrong” and still do all the things I wanted to do with my life.
There are many options for managing symptoms and improving quality of life, including lifestyle changes, stress management, therapy, and medications.
You may want to keep a daily diary of your activities and symptoms, so you can track how much activity is too much for you. This may help you avoid pushing too hard on the days you feel good, which can result in a “crash” where you feel much worse later.
When I retired from clinical practice several years ago, I let go into the unknown. I felt tentative, uncertain, yet knowing intuitively that I needed to heed the call.
After moving from North Dakota to New York, I learned a few things about culture shift.
The process to uncover your purpose after a career in military service takes great introspection.
Our treatment of troops returning from combat has led to a culture of permanent disability. They deserve better.
If you have suddenly been put into the role of caregiver, what should you do—and how can you stay strong while you do it?
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