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Steps to coping
with lupus
- become well-educated about lupus
- try to prepare for the up-and-down nature of the disease. plan
alternate activities, alternate schedules or time for extra rest.
- be open with family & friends about the unpredictable pattern
of lupus & how the disease affects you.
- By listening to your pain as a signal you can begin to control
it.
- find positive ways to channel such negative feelings as anger
& depression.
- try to accept the things you cannot change rather than feeling
constantly frustrated & upset over situations beyond your control.
- remember that stress, depression & pain are all closely
connected & each affects the other. If you can, take steps to
solve any one of these problems so as to reduce the extent of others.
- you can reduce fatigue by developing priorities & learning
to pace your daily activities. Break down big, long-term goals into
small, manageable steps that can be accomplished in some short amounts
of time.
- if lupus has limited your hobbies & activities find new
ways to use your skills.
- don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Family
& friends, doctors & other health care professionals, &
Lupus UK/Lupus Foundation of America are all sources of help &
support.
- become a partner in your healthcare by taking care to stay as
healthy as possible - physically & emotionally.
Prioritise
The most important things are done first
Evaluate your daily routine & responsibilities in light of
your current energy level.
Make a written or mental list of things to do each day.
Ask yourself these questions about your list:
- which ones are important to me?
- which ones have to be done?
- how much energy & time is required to accomplish them?
Determine to spend some time on the most important one or two
items each day.
Eliminate unnecessary tasks & activities - which items on
your list don't really need to be done?
Delegate - which items on your list can be done by someone else?
Encourage others top be self-sufficient.
Modify or simplify the remaining tasks or activities.
Learn to say "No"!
Planning
Think ahead so that you can do what you want to in the easiest
way & in the shortest time possible.
Use mental energy whenever possible to conserve physical energy.
Plan work, & work according to your plan.
Plan time for rest, relaxation, & recreation.
Arrange your work & storage areas.
Plan in advance for work to be done in each period (day, week,
month, season).
Plan alternating activities: sit/stand, fast/slow, light/heavy.
Buy smart. When making purchases, consider ease of use, weight,
size/shape of items, handles, & any other important considerations.
Pace
yourself
Know how to balance activity & rest to make the best use of
your energy.
Plan several; rest periods during the day.
A ratio of 10 minutes rest to 50 minutes activity seems to work
well.
Rest before you get tired.
Avoid getting involved in activities that tax you beyond your
endurance.
Divide large jobs into small steps.
Work at a rate comfortable to you.
Avoid tye need to rush with better planning.
We must pace ourselves properly in order to have energy to carry
out our priorities & plans.
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