When you’re living with a chronic illness, you have to be a little more creative to get more out of every day.
Here are five life hacks that will help you live a fuller life:
Be as organized as possible
No, I’m not taking you as a slob. But hear me out: being super organized saves you time and energy. God knows there are days you don’t have enough of either of them.
The best you can do is make the most out of your day by creating an environment where you can easily access everything you may need. Make lists or label stuff—it doesn’t matter. Just as long as it works for you, no problem!
Personally, I have checklist and to-do lists for everything. I use Trello to manage my tasks and checklists. I have checklists for my groceries, prescriptions, and other medical supplies I need to refill regularly. I also have daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists for repetitive tasks.
I don’t have to keep making the same lists over and over again. The great thing about is that I can also share the tasks and assign them to a friend or a family member in the event that I need help.
Cook in bulk
When you’re living with a chronic illness, each day is different from the other. Some days, you feel energetic. On other days, you can barely get out of bed.
And you still have to eat. Instead of prepping enough just for the day, cook like you’re having a party. But instead of handing most out to party guests, divide the dish into portions then freeze. That way, you can just reheat stuff instead of cooking another meal altogether.
Cook for your Life has a wide selection of healthy meals (from appetizers to desserts) that’ll get you the nutrients you need. Everything’s flavorful and easy to prepare because life doesn’t have to be so bland just because you’re sick.
This is exactly what our co-founder, Emily Levy, does. Every Sunday, she prepares her meals in advance. Not only it’s convenient, but it also ensures that her meals are healthy and according to her specification (no gluten, for example).
Treat yourself every once in a while
The point of life hacks is to make life easier for you. And what better way to do so than by giving treating yourself?
If you don’t have extra dollars to spend on luxury, that’s fine.
Looking for something stylish? Motivational? Functional? From PICC line covers to fun wardrobe options, Mighty Well has it all.
Unleash the germ freak in you
You don’t have to make the path you walk on squeaky clean. Who has that kind of time? I know I don’t.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be mindful of your environment and your actions. Because of a weaker immune system, you’d be more vulnerable to infections.
These infections can be avoided easily. For starters, check out American Cancer Society’s list of the things you can do to minimize your risk.
I know it sounds like a lot of work because it is. But if that means you get to be as comfortable as possible, it’s totally worth it.
Make a personalized outdoor/travel pack
When you’re staying in a hotel or renting an Airbnb, you can never be sure about its upkeep. It’s handy to have your own travel pack you can grab on the go.
When traveling, make a list first. The technique here is just asking these three questions:
- What do I need to keep myself clean?
- What can’t I literally live without?
- What can’t I share with other people?
From those three questions, you’d have your own personalized travel pack. After each trip, take note of things you’ve missed and make sure to add them in your travel pack.
If you’re looking for the perfect bag for your travel needs (including your food and meds), you might be interested in Mighty Well’s Fluid Motion Backpack. The Fluid Motion Backpack has several compartments to keep medical supplies and personal items separate. Who said you can’t be stylish and functional at the same time?
Living with an illness isn’t a gift, but you have to learn to embrace it. Remember that there are simple ways to treat yourself; this new year, think of what makes you happy and do more of that! What were the things that gave you joy in 2023? It doesn’t have to be extravagant. It could be the little things.
You are strong and wonderful, and no illness can take that away from you.
Got more questions about PICC Line? Check out our PICC Line Learning Hub and our Ultimate Guide to PICCs for Patients and Caregivers in collaboration with the Association for Vascular Access.