Spring Cleaning for Your Spirit

I posted a new video, Spring Cleaning for Your Spirit, based on a chapter from my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness, that is useful any time of year but feels particularly relevant in spring.

It's all about replacing negative feelings with healthier feelings: “Think of it as a mental health scrub: clearing out the old “dirt” in our minds, like resentment, envy, anger & loneliness, and replacing them with healthier feelings, like joy & connection.”

I don't approach this like a big, difficult project but propose small, practical tips for moving your life of chronic illness toward one that is healthier emotionally, since our mental health has a direct effect on our physical health. To be clear, this isn't "think positive and make yourself well" kind of crap, which I detest! It's small, simple steps that any of us can take each day to try to address those darker feelings and bring more joy and connection into our lives.

You can watch the 13-minute video on YouTube or I will include it below:

On a personal note, I haven't been posting much lately because I have been struggling with my own health. My usual "winter relapse" lasted into March this year, and after about a month of gradually feeling better, another surprise relapse hit me last week. I usually do quite well in spring and summer--last year, I did not have a single crash day from March through August!--so this is particularly demoralizing. I'm supposed to be going away with my mom this weekend for a book event we attend every year in Vermont, but I had to cancel. I've restarted microdosing tirzepatide (a GLP-1 agonist) in the hope that it will bring me back to a better level of functioning, as it did this past winter. And, since immune activation is my biggest issue in recent years, I have been reading some of the latest research on that topic ... I promise to share with you what I learn!

 

Do you have ways of bringing more joy into your life?

Please share in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Chronic Illness Vlog: A Week in My Life During a Crash (Plus, Nature!)

I've been stuck in a mysterious relapse of my ME/CFS for the past month. I've had flu-like aches every day. I thought that--like last fall--it was due to yeast overgrowth flaring up again, but stronger antifungals and a stricter diet aren't having the effect I'd hoped. I'm a little better, but still achy. Since that is an immune symptom that is a warning sign for me, I have been lying low, not going out much, no walks, and spending a lot of time on the couch ... and in my reclining chair on my deck.

I made a vlog last week that gives you a peek into my life with chronic illness during a down week (though, admittedly, not as bad as in the past for most days last week). I talk about what treatments have worked in the past and what I am trying now. And I included some nature footage, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, too. You can watch it on YouTube or here:

And if you enjoy nature--or want to improve your health!--I will also include my recent outdoor vlog from our last camping trip of the season, at Trap Pond State Park in Delaware, with beautiful fall foliage. Enjoy the peaceful, soothing videos and photos on YouTube or here:

Did you know that scientific research shows that just looking at pictures or videos of nature has measurable positive effects on both mental and physical health? It even improves immune function! So, enjoy this brief respite in nature. Then, open your window or go outside, if you can manage it, to experience nature in your own backyard (or porch or patio or balcony). I'm in my reclining chair on the deck as I type this. It always calms me and makes me feel better.

How was YOUR week?

And how do you enjoy nature?

Please let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.

Weekly Inspiration: Books, TV, and Movies to Tickle Your Funny Bone

Hey, chronic illness spoonie friends! Earlier today, I was updating and sharing an older post of mine from 2019, Weekly Inspiration: Laugh!, when I realized it's been a long time since I've written a new Weekly Inspiration post and I could really use some laughs right now. 

After feeling the best I have felt in years during the first six months of this year (not a single crash day!), getting COVID in July, and slowly crawling my way back from that over the next three months, I was doing pretty well by September and back to enjoying some camping trips with my husband. But for the past three weeks, I've had flu-like aches every day, which tells me my immune system is overreacting to something, most likely a flare-up of yeast overgrowth again. I've gone back to a super-strict diet with almost zero carbs to try to get control of it again, but between that and the state of the outside world, I'm feeling pretty discouraged. 

The prescription? Laughter! As I explained in that older post, laughter has very real physical health benefits ... and it just makes you feel good! So check out the hilarious video clips and funny TV, movie, and book recommendations I made in that old post. And here are some more current recommendations for TV shows, movies, and books that will tickle your funny bone and make you LOL.

 

Funny TV Shows

My husband isn't big on straight-up comedies on TV (though my sons and I love to laugh over episodes of Bob's Burgers or The Office), but we both love to watch TV shows that combine a great sense of humor with drama or suspense. Here are some of our favorites, reviewed in the past two years (links to my reviews with trailers), that make us laugh out loud:

The Diplomat - It's the perfect time time to remind you of this outstanding show that has it all because it just returned for its second season on Netflix. It's got loads of suspense and international intrigue, but it's also so hilarious that we often had to pause and go back a bit because we were laughing so hard we missed a few lines! Great writing & acting.

Somebody Somewhere - This HBO Max show is so great that we watched all three seasons in record time. It's laugh-out-loud funny, but with great emotional depth and plenty of heart. Not for the easily offended--nothing is off-limits in this show!

Shrinking - Another wonderful show just back for its second season, on Apple TV. Starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford as therapists who work in the same office. It's another show that delves into deep issues like grief but with a great sense of humor. It shares some creative DNA with Ted Lasso, and it shows with the same blend of heartwarming drama and laugh-out-loud moments. If you didn't think Harrison Ford was funny, wait till you see him in this role!

Poker Face - This fun, twisty mystery series is built around its main character, played by Natasha Lyonne, so besides suspense, you also get plenty of clever wit. On Peacock - we're still waiting for season 2!

 

Funny Movies

Again, my husband isn't much for straight-up silly comedies (and honestly, neither am I), so our favorite movies that make us laugh always have other elements. Here are some we've enjoyed that were funny:

Hit Man - this 2024 Netflix movies defies categorization: it's kind of a romantic thriller comedy. It's based on a true story of a man who helped the police department by occasionally pretending to be a hit man, so they could arrest whoever hired him. Twisty, suspenseful, action-packed, and funny. Just a lot of fun!

American Fiction - Nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and with one of the highest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, we loved this movie! It's very funny, but it's also poignant, heartwarming, and thoughtful. Highly recommended.
 

Flora and Son - This heartwarming, funny movie about a mother and son connecting through music is uplifting and delightful. It will leave you smiling.

 

Funny Books

Apparently, I haven't been reading many funny books lately, based on my recent reviews. I love a book with a sense of humor, but my favorites are often books that will make me both laugh and cry ... and that's not really my purpose here. So, I'll include some recent reads but also some from a bit further back that are guaranteed to make you laugh. And definitely check out that old post because it did include some great books.

Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out by Shannon Reed - In this funny, comforting, informative memoir, the author talks about her experiences reading and teaching literature in both high school and college. I was often nodding along or laughing out loud.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - This heartwarming story is about connections, loss, and family. It has great characters and an excellent sense of humor.

The Verifiers by Jane Pek - This debut novel is a fun, suspenseful mystery with a great sense of humor. And book two, The Rivals, just came out!

 

What TV shows, movies, and books make YOU laugh?

I'd love to hear about them!

Please share your own recommendations in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.

Happy 22nd Illiversary to Me!

Twenty-two years ago today, on March 2, 2002, I woke with the worst sore throat of my life, wracked with flu-like aches, and feeling completely exhausted. I figured I had a flu or some other virus, but we all know how that story ends!

You can read a written summary of our years of illness at the Our Story tab (or in Chapter 1 of my book) or the timeline version of our history that I wrote on my 20th illiversary.

On my 16th Illiversary, in 2018, I wrote about how the anniversary date has affected me over the years, at various points in time, including the treatments that helped me to improve.

Most interesting to me now, 22 years into this journey, is that often the date passes without me really noticing! I only remembered this year because someone else was writing about an illness anniversary elsewhere online this week. In those early years, it was devastating to think of how many years I'd been sick, since I'd left my old life behind.

These days, after 22 years, as the title of my book, Finding a New Normal, indicates, this is just normal life now. The date can be more difficult for me when I am badly relapsed (as I was for periods of the past three years), but this year, now that I am feeling better than I have in years, I am grateful that I am able to manage this well. This year, in particular, after those last few very difficult years, I am hugely grateful that I have come back to life in the past two months and am able to see my friends, go out, and be active again.

So, Happy Illiversary to Me!
(I certainly won't be eating any cake on this strict no-sugar diet!)

How many years have you been sick?

How does YOUR illness anniversary affect you?

Please leave a comment below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

My 2023 In Review: Chronic Illness Rollercoaster!

Chronic Illness is often said to be a rollercoaster (in fact, Riding the Chronic Illness Rollercoaster is the name of a chapter in my book!), and that was definitely true for me last year, with plenty of ups and downs in my life with ME/CFS and Lyme. I'm a little late with my usual year-end wrap-up (and only just set my goals for the new year!), but that's another fact of life when you have chronic illness; we make accommodations. 

NOTE: I like data and am an analytical person. For details on how I simply track how I feel on a calendar, check out my post, My Progress in 2020 and Goals for 2021 and scroll down to My Health in 2020 and below that, the section called "How Do I Know This?" Or you can watch my short video, Chronic Illness: Tracking How I Feel, Symptoms, and Treatments. I use a 1 to 5 rating, where 1 is good and 5 is mostly bedridden. I also rate my exertion each day on a 1 to 5 scale. And for details on the process I use for goals, which focuses on taking very small steps toward what I want in my life, see my video, Setting Goals When Chronically Ill (Improve Your Life in Tiny Steps).

 

2023 in Review: My Health - the Data

Average How I Felt = 2.5 (1 is good; 5 is bad)

• 13% better than 2022, which was my worst year in 21 years of chronic illness.
• My best months were 2.2, and my worst was 3.4.
  
• Things have been a lot worse for me since 2020 (see my Relapses & Recoveries post), so this was a move in the right direction!
  

Average % crashed = 15% (meaning I was couchbound/bedridden 15% of the time)

• Crashed = a 4 or 5 on my scale, unable to function, stuck in bed or lying on the couch.
  
• 12% better than 2022, which was a low point.
• The average doesn't tell the whole story because there were some highs and lows.
  
• My best months were April and June, with only 3% crashed, but in my worst month, November, I was crashed and nonfunctional 50% of the time.
  

Average exertion = 3.8 (on a scale of 1 to 5)

• 8% better than 2022.
  
• My best months were April and October, with 4.3 average exertion, and my worst month was November, with just 2.8--I spent much of that month lying on the couch.
  
• I think my exertion level looks better than I actually felt; I know that I was pushing myself too hard and not resting enough during some of those early crash months. I finally gave in and rested in November.

  

What Made Things Worse Last Year:

• Not listening to my body and resting enough when I crashed.
• Yeast Overgrowth - this was definitely my biggest issue in 2023:
• As with many people with ME/CFS, I suffer from chronic yeast overgrowth due to the specific kind of immune dysfunction in this disease.
• I made the mistake--over and over!--of assuming it was under control because of all the treatments I routinely take/do that normally work effectively. This kept me from recognizing (and treating) the underling causes of my repeated crashes.
• My diet. I was calling my diet Paleo, but honestly, I wasn't sticking it to it very strictly by last year. This was a huge contributing factor. If I had actually stuck to a strict Paleo diet, the yeast overgrowth probably wouldn't have gotten so much worse.
  
• A short round of steroids (prednisone for five days) in November. Since the issue was actually yeast overgrowth, suppressing my immune system was not a good idea!
  

 

What Helped Me Last Year:

I tried eight new treatments (or adjustments to old treatments) last year that helped me. Below are the changes that helped me the most (some things that I tried, I'm not sure yet if they are helping or not).

• Normalizing my thyroid function. I spent a full year working with my primary care doctor on this, getting thyroid labs every two months, adjusting my meds, waiting another two months, repeat. All that effort, patience, and persistence paid off, and I am starting 2024 with my thyroid working very well! Besides increased energy, less fatigue, and more stamina, I lost 20 pounds over the past year--back to pre-illness weight! It's been eye-opening to see what a difference this makes. I wrote all about it in Diagnosing and Treating Thyroid Dysfunction in ME/CFS and Long-COVID.
• Changing my diet. In the very last two weeks of the year, I drastically changed my diet, once my functional medicine specialist pointed out to me that I still had thrush in my mouth, even with all the anti-yeast treatments I was on. I took her advice to "starve the yeast" by switching to a no-carbs Carnivore Diet. It is what it sounds like: meat, fish, eggs, butter, and no carbs at all. It worked, and by the first days of January, I was feeling the best I have felt in many years! Here's my video about my first month on the Carnivore Diet. I am currently about 97-98% Carnivore; I occasionally have a few bites of non-yeast-encouraging veggies or avocado. I am still feeling great (for me!). I've been seeing friends, taking daily walks, and even helping a friend with her move. Today, I went shopping for clothes for the first time in ages (my clothes are all too big now), and it is just such a thrill to be back out in the world!

 

Other Highs and Lows of 2023 for Me:

Lows: Obviously, with all of 2023's health issues and months spent on the couch, many things just didn't get done last year:

• Not enough time with local friends.
• Very little writing outside of my two blogs and no magazine articles.
• No energy for our home--decluttering is getting urgent!
• Given my poor health many months, I was not able to walk as much as I like or keep up even my tiny on-the-floor strengthening routines. 

Highs: But as always, though my year seemed awful when I was stuck on the couch in November and December, when I look back, I see some wonderful highlights:

My husband and I enjoyed 3 relaxing week-long camping vacations: to Virginia state parks in April, to the Catskills in June, and to the Virginia mountains in October for stunning fall foliage! When we travel with our camper, it is very easy and low-key. (links are to my travel vlog videos, where you can see some of the beautiful natural surroundings we enjoyed).

We enjoyed three weekends with our adult sons and their girlfriends, one at home for Father's Day, one camping in Pennsylvania and one at a rental on a lake in New Jersey. We cherish that quiet, laid-back, fun time with them!

My childhood best friend, Michelle, came to visit me in July, and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend together, reminiscing and making new memories!

In September, I finally got to meet in person my friend from across the world! Annie and her husband were visiting from Australia, and they made time in their busy schedule to meet up with us. Annie and I met online over 10 years ago, in the group I started for Parents of Kids and Teens with ME/CFS and Related Illnesses. We both had sick kids, and we supported each other and bonded. Annie later helped me run the group, and we've stayed in touch even though our "kids" are now grown up (and both doing quite well). It was such a treat to meet in person!

I stuck with my new goal to spend time outside every day and so enjoyed that extra time in nature! Given the state of my health, often that time was spent lying in a reclining chair on our deck or very slowly walking around the little cul-de-sac in front of our house, but the new habit really enriched my life. If you'd like to do the same, Join Me to Notice and Enjoy Nature More in 2024! with my #nature365 project.

 

So, that was my 2023.

How was last year for you?

 

What small joys did you experience?

 

What treatments help you?

 

Share your experiences (or any questions) in the comments below.

 

Join Me to Notice & Enjoy Nature More in 2024!

In 2023, I created #sky365 to use on social media, and I posted a photo of the sky (almost) every day. Last year was a rough one for me health-wise, but this very simple habit helped me to get outside at least once a day, reminded me to look up, and inspired me to find beauty and joy, even on my worst days.

This year, I am using #nature365 for the same reasons, and I would love for you to join me! You don't have to be a great photographer. The idea is simply to snap a quick photo each day of anything in the natural world: a tree, flowers, birds, or yes, the sky! Then share it on social media using #nature365, so the rest of us can enjoy it, too. Even photos taken from your window--or even of a houseplant--count. It's very flexible, but the purpose is to help us all pay more attention to the outside world and notice and appreciate nature wherever we find it.

Research shows that nature has amazing positive effects on both our physical and mental health, even with just 5 minutes of time or even just looking at pictures of nature. I explain all this in more detail and provide lots of easy tips for enjoying nature, even when you are severely limited, in my book and in this video, Get Out! Nature Improves Health.

So join me and post your #nature365 pics!

You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter, where I will try to post a nature photo everyday, and you can reply with your own. 

Or post on whatever social media platform you prefer (I am determined to finally get on Instagram this year)

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite #sky365 photos from last year - remember even just looking at these photos improves your health! Click on them to enlarge:

Holiday Tips, Support, and Fun for the Chronically Ill

During this busy season, I am sharing here a wide range of holiday tips, support, and ideas for fun from past posts and past years, to help you through this coming week of Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

[I haven't been posting much here recently because I am still stuck in this awful relapse that began in mid-October. I've spent months with constant flu-like aches, lying on the couch, so my life has been very limited. I've realized that yeast overgrowth/candida is still at the root of this latest relapse, so I am on an extremely strict diet now: pretty much just meat, fish, and seafood, plus some cruciferous vegetables. I'm feeling better, my energy is better (thanks to working all year on normalizing thyroid function), but I still have thrush on my tongue and flu-like aches. Fingers crossed this clears up by Sunday so I can enjoy Christmas with my family!]

First up, the part of the holidays I struggle with the most (and many of you, too, from your posts and comments) is family relationships, which can be challenging when you're chronically ill. Those challenges multiply with the stresses and expectations of the holiday season. That's why I wrote Managing Family Relationships - Holidays and Beyond, which is excerpted from my book. This article/chapter provides practical tips to help you not only manage relationships but even enjoy the holiday season, in your own way and within your own limits.

Two years ago, I collected Chronic Illness Tips and Support (and Fun!) from other chronic illness bloggers and writers. Check out that round-up of support, practical advice, and some time-out fun, too. There is a lot of collective wisdom in the large chronic illness community!

And here is another round-up from other chronic illness bloggers: Chronically Ill Holiday Gifts and Tips, with some great posts from other bloggers about coping, planning and preparation, gift ideas, and support.

 I posted two Gift Guides here on my own blog this month: Chronic Illness Holiday Gift Guide ( I got some of these for my step-mom who's dealing with chronic pain) and Gifts Created by and for Spoonies. It might be too late to buy gifts for others, but you can put your new gift cards to good use! 

Finally, when you just need to take a break from all the activity and people and noise, check out Movies and TV for the Holidays (or Not!), my own collection for the season. I included some of my favorite holiday movies, old and new, and some outstanding, uplifting non-holiday movies and TV shows, if you just need to escape for a bit. And I will add one more holiday movie to that list - I just started watching Last Christmas, and it is just what I needed: a fun, uplifting seasonal romcom. Re-reading this list reminds me of how great these films and shows were!

OK, that's it for me until after Christmas. I still have a few more decorations to put up, cooking to do (just a little this year), and a few more gifts to wrap. I'm trying to pace myself!

How are you doing this holiday season?

Do you have any tips or favorite holiday movies and TV shows?

Please share in the comments.

Enjoy the holiday season, in whatever way you can!

Chronic Illness Vlog: Highs and Lows

I posted a chronic illness vlog from last week, showing an honest view of my life with chronic illness. And, wow, last week was one of extremes! I went from crying on the couch, wracked with flu-like aches, to the euphoric victory of attending my 40th (!) high school reunion and the challenges of traveling to spend time with family on a long holiday weekend.

You can watch the video on Youtube or watch here:

Yes, it was one of those weeks that felt like a rollercoaster, one that jerked me from very high highs to extremely low lows, often with no transition in between. As you can see, I was feeling optimistic when I recorded the last segment on Monday this week, but--alas--that was short-lived. By Wednesday, I was back to crying on the couch, with horrible aches, hitting bottom once again. After my husband left to go to the store, I opened the refrigerator to get some water, and the bottom rack in the door pulled apart, spilling all the contents onto the floor. That did me in. I collapsed in a heap in front of the open fridge and sobbed my eyes out. It was just one of those "last straws," know what I mean? I eventually pulled myself together, put everything back in the fridge, and huddled down under the blankets on the couch to watch two old episodes of Grey's Anatomy (my happy place). My wonderful husband said, "you're not even attempting dinner tonight," and took care of it entirely. 

Today, I am feeling better emotionally, though still achy. I scheduled a phone appointment with my ME/CFS specialist for next week, so I'm hoping she has some ideas to calm down my activated immune system. In the meantime, I am resigned to staying horizontal as much as possible and listening to my body.

How was YOUR week?

How are you doing?

Please leave a comment below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Book on Sale for Black Friday!

I just wanted to let you know that my book is on sale, now through Cyber Monday, November 27. All e-book formats are on sale, and the paperback when bought through Amazon (sorry but I don't have control over pricing of the paperback through other online and in-store retailers but it is available everywhere).

About the book:

"Whether you are in the early days of living with chronic illness or have been at it for years (or decades), there are always challenges in living a life framed by limitations and restrictions, where isolation is a common issue. This guide provides inspiration, advice on emotional coping, and guidance on living your best life with chronic illness from someone who’s been there. Though it seems impossible at first, your life will eventually settle into a new normal, and while that life may be different than the one you had planned, it can still be a vibrant, fulfilling life based on strong relationships, a healthy emotional state, and finding joy in every day. The emphasis in this book is on LIVING your life, not just enduring it.

 

From Sue Jackson, the author of the popular and award-winning blog Live with ME/CFS, comes a book to help you live your best life with chronic illness. Based on Sue’s over 20 years living with chronic illnesses in her own family, writing her blog, writing articles on chronic illness, and leading multiple support groups, she provides support and practical advice you can use."

 

A few of the many 5-star reviews:

Loved It “This book was eye opening and helpful. I am recently diagnosed with Lupus and struggling to understand it all. This book helped me to understand my life isn't over and I don't need to feel guilty when I can't do all the things. Instead I just need to change how we do things such as have movie nights etc.”

 

A Must Read for Those Struggling with Chronic Illness and Their Families - There is nothing more desperate than trying to find someone who “gets” it! Chronic Illness is real and the emotional toll it takes on the patient and family is tremendous. Looking for someone to help or at least understand is almost impossible. This book gives hope to those suffering from chronic illness by letting them know they are not alone, that there is help out there, and there are things to do to get you through those dark and scary times. There were very limited and often outdated books available to help my family during our initial struggle dealing with a child with a chronic illness. In the beginning life was a lonely and living hell. I was blessed to find Sue and a wonderful group of people online, who shared similar experiences and showed us how to survive in our new “normal”!” 

“Encouraging - Chronic illness is difficult to say the least. The daily challenges you face are often so debilitating. Suzan does a wonderful job sharing her and her family's challenges and triumphs living with chronic illness.  What a comfort to know there are people who understand and really "get" what you’re going through. Having support makes a world of difference when you are battling an illness and is essential in moving forward and living your best life.  I recommend this book if you have a chronic illness or if you know someone that does.” 

 

"Must Read

I am only half way through and it has saved my life. Seriously.”

 

You can read more about the book and see more reviews, plus a list of links for finding the book (e-book and paperback) through all the major outlets and formats here.

 

If you're in the US, I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend!

 

Chronic Illness Vlog: Crash! A Mostly Horizontal Week

My latest chronic illness vlog is now available. I record these vlogs over the course of a full week, to show an honest view of my life with chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS and Lyme disease. Last week (and continuing this week!), I've been struggling with a "mystery crash," a sudden worsening of my symptoms, especially flu-like aches. The aches are an immune sign that tells me my immune system is over-reacting to ... something. You can hear in the vlog as I consider various possibilities throughout the week. My best guess now is that perhaps yeast overgrowth/candida has flared up again, as it did this summer. 

You can watch the video on YouTube or here:

As an update, I did get the stronger antifungals from my doctor and started them yesterday, but I am still achy and horizontal. Fingers crossed I feel better for our Thanksgiving trip next week to visit family. 

Here are some of the topics and treatments I mentioned or referred to in the video (all of these links are also below the video on YouTube).

• ME/CFS and Infectious Triggers -how to prevent and treat worsening during fall/winter.
• Treating Immune Dysfunction - includes information both on improving immune function and on treating underlying infections.
• Inosine - an inexpensive supplement that helps to normalize the immune system.
• Effective Treatments for Yeast Overgrowth/Candida - a common problem in ME/CFS and long-COVID that can make you feel awful.
  
• Diagnosing & Treating Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) blog post
• OI Video
• Chronic Illness Tracking: How I Feel, Symptoms, and Treatments video
  
• Vitamin B12 - what it does, why we need it, plus types and forms that work best
• Increasing Glutathione in ME/CFS and Long-COVID
• Treatments: Tried and True & New Hope - Dr. Davis' very interesting 10-minute video on "Can ME/CFS Be Cured?" plus another article on treatments.

 

How are YOU doing? How was your week?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Virginia Vacation Vlog: Fabulous Fall Foliage!

I haven't posted on the blog in a while because we were on vacation last week (and I've been catching up this week - I still have 200 more unread e-mails to go!). We drove down to Virginia with our camper and spent a very relaxing week at two wonderful state parks, surrounded by stunning natural beauty!

I often mention here on the blog how healthy it is to spend time outdoors, and scientific research bears that out. In my book, I included a chapter, The Restorative Power of Nature, that details the scientific evidence that time spent in nature has measurable positive effects on both mental and physical health. That chapter also includes tips on how to bring nature's benefits into your own life, no matter how restricted you are; studies show that even looking at pictures of nature provide benefits. You can read an earlier version of that chapter/article here on the blog. 

So, with that in mind, I am sharing with you a Vacation Vlog I put together, with loads of videos and photos from our camping trip last week. My recommendation is to watch it on a larger screen, like a tablet or laptop, expand the view to Full Screen, and turn up the volume so you can hear the sounds of nature, too. That way, you, too, can benefit from the wonderful natural beauty we were immersed in last week, including brilliantly colorful fall foliage, peaceful lakes reflecting those vibrant colors, and even some wildlife. 

You can watch the video on YouTube or here below:

 

You will see that I was mildly active on this trip, taking short, easy hikes and kayaking with my husband. It is much easier for me to do those things when we're on vacation because there is no stress, no responsibilities, and no obligations! We typically do one mildly active thing after breakfast (if I am up to it), and the rest of the day is very restful and quiet. It is also only possible for me to do these things because I have treated Orthostatic Intolerance (OI), which is a huge contributor to the exertion intolerance of ME/CFS and long-COVID. I also mention in the video that I use a heart rate monitor to stay within my limits.

I hope you enjoyed that mini vacation!

How do YOU enjoy nature within your limitations?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter/X.

Peace and Tranquility in Nature

In my book, I included a chapter, The Restorative Power of Nature, that details the scientific evidence that time spent in nature has measurable positive effects on both mental and physical health. That chapter also includes tips on how to bring nature's benefits into your own life, no matter how restricted you are; studies show that even looking at pictures of nature provide benefits. You can read an earlier version of that chapter/article here on the blog. With that in mind, I wanted to share some photos and video of some of my own recent time spent outdoors, which provided a much-needed respite in the midst of a busy month.

First, in spite of weeks of rain, we managed to get out for a couple of nights camping. It was a tight squeeze, with everything else we've had going on, but those two days of complete relaxation outdoors were worth the rush to get there. We took our pop-up camper to a beautiful state park in Maryland, less than an hour from our home. With views from our campsite of the Elk River and expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay near the historic lighthouse, we soaked in all the sights and sounds of nature. Here, I put together a video of photos from our short trip. View on YouTube or below:

Expand the view to full-screen, and you can also enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature!

Just a few days after that camping trip, we met our sons (and one girlfriend) at a rented lake house for the weekend. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and a tropical storm sat over the area for much of the weekend (and the following week!), but Friday evening was beautiful. My husband and I got the kayaks out on the lake, and we all enjoyed a stunning sunset over the water. In spite of the rain, the rest of the weekend was super-relaxing, and we loved having that time together as a family. A few photos:

I find being near the water especially peaceful and restorative.

Have you been able to spend any time outdoors lately?

Or even just looking at nature through your windows?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Excerpts from My Book on Living with Chronic Illness

I am home briefly in between trips - three trips in 10 days' time! It's a busy month with a lot of family stuff, so I thought I would share some videos here today.

Since I started my YouTube channel in February 2021, I have made quite a few videos based on chapters from my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness (available everywhere, in print and e-book, and more info on the book at that link). This book is meant for anyone living with any kind of chronic medical condition, with a focus on emotional coping, daily living, healthy relationships, and figuring out what your best life is, within your own restrictions and limitations.

I recently made a couple of brief videos (YouTube Shorts, under 1 minute each), with a quote from the beginning of two chapters:

Who Do You Tell and What Do You Say? - all about deciding what to reveal and to whom about your medical condition.

The Hidden World of Invisible Suffering - how chronic illness showed me a hidden world with lots of people facing challenges others don't see.

And these are longer (12-25 min) videos, based on full chapters from my book:

Get Out! Nature Improves Health - based on the chapter, The Restorative Power of Nature, includes some photos and videos of nature, plus tips on how to enjoy and get the benefits of nature, no matter what your limitations.

A Plan B Day - a useful concept with specific steps to help you prioritize, reduce stress, and listen to your body.

You're Right Where You Need to Be - how techniques like acceptance, giving in, and living in the present can help you to live your best life with chronic illness.

Finding Joy in Every Day - simple habits that can help you to identify the small joys in your everyday life and create more of those moments, to improve your quality of life and happiness.

What Are You Looking Forward To? - one simple tip I learned from a wonderful psychologist that can help when you are feeling stuck in a rut.

Celebrate Everything, Big and Small - when you celebrate the small stuff - with minimal effort! - you add joy to your life and give yourself and your family something to look forward to. It's fun! 

So, I hope that will provide some useful information to you while I'm away.

What tips and strategies help YOU live with chronic illness?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.