Life is hard, and that’s just on a regular day. There are plenty of things in the world that can cause you stress, and for many women it’s simply part of the day being a trooper and carrying on, despite the obstacles. But how to cope with serious illness if that type of diagnosis comes your way?
The initial reaction
Receiving the diagnosis of a serious health issue can be very difficult to deal with. It can be life-shattering knowing that you have something wrong with your body and it’s going to essentially change your life forever. One of the most important things that you will need to do, is to learn how to deal with it. Nobody said that it would be easy, but if you don’t start trying then you may only find things getting worse.
Regardless of what your health issue is – wherever it may be located – you need to know that your mental health will be affected too. People deal with all various things differently.
You may receive a diagnosis and feel as though you’re numb, unable to actually deal with what’s going on. Or you may break down and cry, and not stop crying.
Or you might laugh and just get on with it.
There is no right or wrong emotion to have. We all have our own coping mechanisms, and not everyone needs to understand them – you might not even understand, and that’s okay.
Reach out and talk to someone
If it’s what you need to do to get through it all, so be it. Just make sure that if you aren’t doing too well that you speak to someone. There are plenty of people out there who are willing to help.
Make an appointment with your doctor and tell them what’s going on and how you’re feeling. They will be able to advise you on what is necessary in your unique situation.
They may think that you should talk to a trained professional who will work alongside you to help you overcome the issue. A therapist can provide a supportive environment for you to express any emotions and work through them, all with the goal of better health and wellbeing.
Here are some other ways to help you deal with a serious illness:
Seek out the beautiful things
It’s very easy to only see the negative, especially when we’re having to carry so much stress around with us. You will tend to see the glass half empty, as opposed to half full, and you can’t be blamed for that.
As tough as it may be, you need to try and find the beauty again. It’s all around you, you just need to open your eyes and take a good look.
It may be the simple things like going for a walk in the park and listening to the birds sing, feeling the cool breeze caress your skin, and the warm sun stroking your face. That’s merely nature, something that is there every single day, and yet it’s too easily overlooked.
Thus, it’s down to you to find it again and let it shine through your life.
How to cope with serious illness from a justice perspective
Cancer is one of the most common illnesses, and yet it doesn’t get any better. It’s known as the big C because people are so afraid of the disease.
It comes in many different forms be it breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or even mesothelioma which develops on the thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs like the lungs. This type of cancer could have been caused by asbestos poisoning which is no fault of your own.
Maybe the past employer was careless and didn’t check to make sure the environment is safe, in which case you should contact lawyers for victims of mesothelioma as someone needs to be held responsible and pay for all the expenses that you now have on your hands.
Stop what you’re doing and breathe
Although you’re constantly breathing, it doesn’t mean that you’re focusing on it. There’s a big difference.
You breathe to stay alive, it’s something you do naturally and you become unaware of the act. But if you feel as though things begin to build up – stop what you’re doing, and just breathe.
Take long steady breaths, and focus on them. Feel the sensation of your lungs filling up with essential air, and then releasing it all.
This is essentially a form of meditation within itself. People get the wrong idea about meditating because they assume they need to sit on the floor with their legs crossed, chanting words they’ve never heard of before.
But meditation isn’t really like that. Instead, the practice focuses on centering your soul, putting you in tune with your body again.