How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide

I used to, until I realized that pushing myself to do something I knew was going to send my into a days long flare-up wasnt worth it. For example, last summer when I went to my friend's cottage I spent tons of time in the lake, floating or on the dock or in the water. Consequences? Had to constantly lay down in my dark room in the cottage for ages afterwards, with people checking on me because they were worried. All because I was determined to pretend I didn't have my POTS and stay out there with everyone. This summer I've already attended a pool party/bbq event and instead I listened to my body. The second it was telling me it was done being in the water and the sun, I got out. I sat by the pool instead, in some shade, and had just as much fun if not more because I didn't feel like crap the rest of the time or have to leave early. At that cottage last year, I was pushing past that point and guess how long I was able to stay out there? Maximum of 2 hrs. The pool party? I was there for 6 hrs. So pushing past my limit actually gave me less than if I listened to my body. Accepting you have a chronic illness and have a new "normal" is, in my opinion, the most important and freeing thing you can do for yourself. If you play by your body's rules it'll reward you. Ignore them, it'll punish you. I highly recommend these two books, they helped me a lot: How To Be Sick by Toni Bernhard https://a.co/d/0d6P2NhF How To Live Well by Toni Bernhard https://a.co/d/0g3lLcmZ