Welcome, today we are doing something slightly different, I am going to share my professional & personal experience…to bring awareness to the issues that many are living with…
So grab your favorite beverage, a treat & sit with me while we share the following reflection together…
If you’ve been traveling with me here, then you may be aware that I am a Mental Health professional. Counseling chronically ill patients in pain management & coping strategies was a part of my career for many years…
I would often be asked by patients, how they could explain their experience of chronic illnesses to their family & friends.
This is a bit tricky, especially in the chronic health conditions of Fibromyalgia (FM) & Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) including other chronic conditions where the patient looks well!
My advice to them, at that time, was to be honest in what they were experiencing in their lives.
Then I entered Chronic Health issues… I also wanted an analogy to describe how the body acts physically within chronic illness & impacts us psychologically.
I was discussing this with a professional colleague of mine & we agreed upon the following concept…
The “Healthy” battery verses the “Chronically ill” battery…
The healthy body battery;
- 30% is used for the normal functioning of body systems, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, neurological etc…
- +30% energy for working life,
- +30% energy for socialization, relationships & emotions,
- +10% energy reserve,
= 100%
The chronically ill body battery;
- 75-85% energy is used for functioning of dysfunctioning autonomic systems,
- +15-25% energy is used for work, relationships, socialization & emotions.
- 0% energy reserve, already used up!
= 100%
You can see that energy levels are severely hampered by chronic illness. This is why fatigue is such a huge factor, this is why our emotional capacity becomes quickly depleted, this is why our cognitive processing can be compromised, also known as mind malaise & our ability to socialize, greatly limited!
And why so many of us have to lessen our workloads or stop work…
As the body will always prioritize its energy into autonomic systems to function to normal levels to keep us alive!
This knowledge helps us to prioritize & pace ourselves in the activities in which we choose to participate in on any given day to live our new normal.
I hope this has been informative & helpful to you, whether you are living in wellness or in Chronic illness, we need to be kinder in our expectations of ourselves & others but at the same time live the fullest life we can within our own body’s capacity…
Until next time dear friend…
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2018 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo on Pexels.com
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Interesting post, Jennifer. The analogy and stats of the “well” and “chronically-ill” battery is eye-opening. It helps get a glimpse into how the body works and how it also will affect us emotionally and psychologically. Visiting by your invitation as a page buddy at Moments of Hope.
Lovely that you dropped by & were able to enjoy a cup of inspiration with me Karen 😀
Jennifer, I shared this everywhere. Thank you dear one.
Thankyou! So glad it has bought awareness to a tricky issue. 🙂
Jennifer, thanks for sharing this in such a clear way! I don’t necessarily have a chronic illness, but I do experience a lot of neck and shoulder pain, esp. after a day of a lot of physical work. So I understand how people can look fine but feel terrible. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #TeaAndWord.
Blessings to you Gayl! Lovely having you drop by 😀
Very well said and helpful, Jennifer. Thanks for the specifics and clarification.
This is extremely well done and helpful, Jennifer. You’ve been so helpful in this. Thank you!
You’re most welcome Pam, living in chronic illness brings an intimate experience to the professional & academic knowledge…
I am having one of those “depleted” mornings, after many days in a row of intensity. And while I am so glad to be able to have held up under that necessary intensity, your words are a comfort today as the fog settles in. Thank you for sharing these insightful words. They are a true blessing, to be able to rest with Jesus here.
Totally understand Bettie, rest up, be kind to yourself & let your body & spirit be restored in Him 😀
Thanks for this insightful post, Jennifer. I know many who suffer from chronic pain and this gives me better understanding!
This concept gives a word picture that is more clearly defined & easily understood for both the sufferer of chronic illness & those who have friends/relatives with the chronic conditions.
Lovely having you drop by Pam 😀
And unlike a battery, you can’t get it recharged just because you want to. You also can’t just buy a new battery!
Absolutely Elizabeth! We only get one body & we need to look after it…whether we are walking in wellness or in the challenges of chronic health conditions.
I like your addition to the battery analogy chat, thank you 😀
That makes a lot of sense because some mornings, even after a long night’s sleep (which is also rare), I wake up with no spoons…I begin from a minus position, all my energy has focused on just existing. Thanks Jennifer for sharing your lived & learned experience. Xx
You are very welcome Marie, I am so glad you have found some clarity & understanding here for your own situation. 😀
Sleep in chronic illness is another topic I will cover here soon 😉 ♥ Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer, knowledge is power and learning is life-long. I’m looking forward to some insights on sleep! Xx
Very informative. Thank you
You’re most welcome Manu!