Here are the six ways that I live better with my epilepsy:
(1) I Tell My Family That I Am Not Doing Well: One of the biggest things I always do is I make sure that my fiancé knows when I’m not doing well. I let him know that I am struggling a little bit and that I need a hand. He is usually pretty good at knowing when to pick up the slack when needed and when he can see that I am not doing well (as he should be). I believe that it makes a huge difference when I don’t have to do everything when I am not doing well.
(2) I Clean Up and Freshen Up My Surroundings: I can’t rest when things are messy and dirty. It doesn’t mean that I need to go overboard scrubbing and cleaning. I just take the garbage out and clean out the fridge. A quick tidy and a wipe over of things makes me feel a little more centered and relaxed.
(3) My Body May Not Be Doing Well, But My Mind Doesn’t Have to Be: When I am not doing well, my body can, of course, alert the way I think. However, I try not to let my epilepsy define my mental well being. Things that make a huge difference in my well being include being mindful, participating in meditation, and taking moments to find positivity in things.
(4) I Fuel My Body with Healthy Nutrition: My basic premise is fresh food, more water, and less alcohol. I choose not to drink often, only on celebrations, and I find that it really helps my epilepsy. I also find that if I eat healthy, non-processed foods, I feel much better overall. I cut out any packaged foods and treats that are high in processed sugars.
(5) I Take a Walk and Look at Pretty Things: I try to get out for a walk at least 3-4 times a week, even when it is raining. I don’t walk to ‘exercise’ but rather just to have a change in scenery and to get my body moving and my blood pumping. I can have a habit of sitting too much when I am not doing well, but a walk to look around makes me feel a little better.
(6) I Take a Shower: When my health isn’t doing great, sometimes I can get lazy and It’s all to easy for me to think “Oh, I’m not going anywhere today so I don’t need to worry” but honestly, I’ve found that I feel MUCH better after a good shower. A scrub of the hair, a leg shave, and a skin care routine really helps me out. I know that my body needs me to look after it.
What are some of the ways that you live better with your epilepsy? I’d love to know! Send me an email at [email protected].
Christine Jamieson is Miss Canada 2019, Miss British Columbia 2018/2019, and a person living with epilepsy who works for the BC Epilepsy Society as an Impact Speaker. Christine believes in impacting the world for the better and is a strong advocate for epilepsy and mental health.