Three Ways I Manage Stress with Chronic Illness
In this episode, Cheryl shares her framework for managing stress while living with chronic illness. She explains why it’s crucial to differentiate between “solvable versus perpetual problems,” and “thinking versus non-thinking problems.” Cheryl explores how acceptance of unsolvable problems can paradoxically lead to greater happiness while managing a chronically painful condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
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Show Notes
Episode at a glance
- Introduction & definition of terms:
- What is stress, pain versus suffering, statistics on mental health and arthritis, common causes of stress with chronic illness (1:30 - 12:00)
- Cognitive behavior therapy for “thinking problems”:
- How “Catching ANTs” is a helpful tool for “thinking problems” (when your stress is caused by maladaptive thinking patterns) (12:30 - 20:45 )
- Mindfulness & “perpetual problems”
- Cheryl explains how true mindfulness of the present moment (even uncomfortable parts of the present) can help cope with perpetual problems from chronic illness (21:45 - 27:10).
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cheryl explains how acceptance and commitment therapy helps her devote energy towards present possibilities rather than wasting time trying to solve unsolvable problems (which can lead to unnecessary stress). (27:10 -43:00)
- Concluding thoughts: 43:00-end
Sometimes there is not a clear way to make your pain go away, no effective tool to “heal” your condition, and no way to convince someone else that your invisible illness is real.
While that might sound depressing at first, Cheryl explains that accepting this reality helped set her free (“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off” - Gloria Steinem).
She explains how she learned this technique from #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy.
Speaker Bios:
Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seventeen years. She’s passionate about helping others with rheumatoid arthritis live a full life, by using effective tools to manage physical, emotional and social challenges. She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare she say) FUN patient education and self-management resources.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Rheum to THRIVE, a 6 month education and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. Join the waitlist today for the next group which starts in early October, 2021!
Episode links:
- Sign up to access the video recording of this webinar (which includes the visuals I refer to)
- Reproductive Health and Rheumatic Disease Webinar:
- Cheryl will be moderating a free “Reproductive Health and Rheumatic Disease” patient webinar on September 14th 2021, sign up here http://www.rheum4you.org and learn more here https://simpletasks.org/
- Things mentioned in the episode:
- Find a therapist in the US - Psychology Today
- CBT - resources for learning about common cognitive distortions
- John Gottman marriage research: solvable versus perpetual problems
- The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris - explains Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Passengers on the bus metaphor - more details
- Cheryl’s Arthritis Life social media pages:
- Cheryl & Arthritis Life on Instagram
- Cheryl’s website: Arthritis Life
- Arthritis Life Tiktok: @ArthritisLife
- Arthritis Life Facebook Page
- Cheryl’s Twitter: @realcc
- Arthritis Life Youtube channel
- Arthritis Life Program Links
- Join the waitlist for Rheum to THRIVE, a membership community Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, an self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches people with RA how to confidently manage their physical, social and emotional life with this condition.
Medical disclaimer:
All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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