Chronic Wellness

Chronic Wellness

By Annette LeonardHealth & Fitness
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Chronic Wellness episodes

  • Episode 215: Shelter In Place - Letter Writing
    Some of us with chronic illness have been practicing shelter in place for a long time.
    Not having stamps is no excuse, you can get stamps delivered.
    Letter writing is good for the soul.
    The connection made in cards or letters is different than that made by phone.
    The time spent writing letters can be quiet, off-line time in your house. This can be conducive to a lead in to a nap, if you have children.
    Any one in your life would be delighted to receive something hand written and know that they were thought of.
    This might be a nice habit to cultivate during this time sheltering in place.
    4 min
  • Episode 214: Shelter In Place - Film Festival
    I'm well versed with social isolation.
    Perhaps you have a film festival during this time.
    Get creative, maybe this is last year's Oscar nominees, or the animated films you loved in the 3rd grade, or all films staring Jason Bateman -- the only limit is your imagination.
    Select the movies, choose the timeline, pop the corn, and get started!
    This activity is enhanced by sharing it with others.
    4 min
  • Episode 213: Shelter In Place - Hobbies
    What hobbies have you always wanted to learn?
    What hobbies have you tried before but have abandoned?
    Calligraphy? Embroidery? Sewing? Gardening?
    You can learn anything on YouTube!
    For those of us who are sick, of course time and energy are a consideration.
    Tell me what you have tried or are considering trying.
    This is one more way to have your mind turned toward healthy things during this strange time.
    4 min
  • 212 Shelter In Place - Feed Your Mind
    What makes you curious?
    What did you want to know more about as a kid?
    What intrigues you?
    Dig into those and share what you're learning with those around you.
    As some of you know I'm captivated by the concept in some species and peoples of "dead reckoning." I am always eager to learn more about that and many other subjects.
    Feeding our mind is a great way to tune out the anxiety, turn off the 24-hour news cycle and nourish our curiosity.
    4 min
  • Episode 211: Shelter In Place - Exercise
    For those of us who practice sheltering in place because of illness have been training for this. We are experts.
    Today's tip is that you should be exercising.
    Move your body.
    Do what is possible for YOU.
    If you are healthy, get out and ride a bike, do yard work, or other things to stay active. For those of us with more limited capacity, do what you are capable of without hurting yourself.
    Movement helps with anxiety, stress, the development of chronic illness and things as basic as sleep
    5 min
  • Episode 210 Needing A Shower
    I look a mess today. I haven't showered, I hurt, I'm not sleeping.
    Perhaps this is a flare. If not, this is a relapse.
    I'm afraid of what this could be and am trying to maintain a present moment focus.
    As an empath, could this be me feeling what's happening to the collective?
    I'm missing my mom.
    4 min
  • Episode 209: Sheltering In Place - Emotions Running High
    People in my world are having slightly out of character moments of meltdown. Emotions are running high. Here in Oregon we've been asked to shelter in place for about three weeks now and tensions, boredom, and other strong feelings are coming out in unexpected ways.
    Pressure, heat, and darkness can make diamonds. However, those same conditions can make a mess. We are in a global crucible.
    Anything extra can be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
    Naming what's happening, as it's happening gives you an opportunity to see it for what it is and talk about it. Not take it on or assume, just because you're being blamed for it -- that it is yours.
    To protect ourselves and our health, to ensure that we aren't relapsing, we must keep our stress down and be impeccable about our boundaries. Examine things before accepting blame. Be sure to take yourself out of situations that don't serve you. If emotions are running hot, it's okay to take brakes and get things cooled off after a rest before returning to the conversation.
    5 min
  • Episode 208: The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness Part 3
    How can our illnesses mirror the Heroine's Journey?
    The hero's journey is so compelling. We are drawn into that messaging and are looking for our redemptive conclusion. However, most of us with chronic illness don't achieve those ends.
    The story of trauma, loss, grief, and going into the underworld that can give us a framework for understanding what happens to us with illness.
    The roots system of the underworld forces us to look plainly at what is really going on.
    What are the things that are bring Sarah life?
    Sarah's tools for self care: move my body (but not so much it hurts), eat real food, get enough sleep.
    How can gardening, tending the soil, be nourishing?
    Bringing other things to life is an excellent way to bring yourself to life.
    Win a copy of Sarah's book on 4/17/20! Go to my Instagram @theAnnetteLeonard or Twitter @Annette_Leonard to learn how!
    13 min
  • Episode 207: The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness Part 2
    When struggling with mysterious illnesses, what is the significance of privilege?
    What is the significance of being believed?
    How do we find practitioners who will be curious and invested in us?
    Why is this so rare and where do we turn?
    What is functional medicine and why would you want to start here?
    Win a copy of Sarah's book on 4/17/20! Go to my Instagram @theAnnetteLeonard or Twitter @Annette_Leonard to learn how!
    9 min
  • Episode 206: The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness Part 1
    On today's episode I'm hosting my first guest!
    Sarah Ramey, the author of The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness is joining me for Part 1 of our conversation.
    As her health was unraveling, she started writing to try to understand what was happening to her.
    "You are not crazy. And you are not alone" is the thesis of this book.
    With so many of these mysterious illnesses, the dominant experience is being told, "no you don't."
    How can we change the way that patients are treated?
    Here is the magical term you should all learn WOMI.
    It is important to have language to describe what is happening to us.
    Win a copy of Sarah's book on 4/17/20! Go to my Instagram @theAnnetteLeonard or Twitter @Annette_Leonard to learn how!
    10 min

About Chronic Wellness

From the publisher's feed

Are you one of the millions living with a chronic illness or pain? Our diseases may be very different, but we have many of the same experiences, obstacles and frustrations. We are all working for a better quality of life knowing that pain and limitations will be our traveling companions. My name is Annette and I'm the host of Chronic Wellness, a brief, weekly, podcast where we talk about it all: sex, self-care, mental heath, loss of identity, anger, how to navigate health care and have less days that suck so hard.