As I read through this forum, I'm reminded of the couple of times I've been in the grips of hypochondria. It's hardly a surprise that this pandemic has many of us struggling with it, including me. When the anxiety got to be too much recently, I decided it was time to put a stop to the what-ifs. The bottom line is that we can't worry away the possibility of a health problem. We need balance. The answer that came to me is a wellness lifestyle. With that in mind, I decided to do a few things to adjust my perspective:
Wishing you all the best!
- Go to wellness checks on time, and go for the preventive procedures my doctor recommends (blood work, skin checks, colonoscopies, etc.). I also stay current with dental and vision checkups. If I'm experiencing something that might seem a little embarrassing or silly, I let my doctor decide that it's nothing to worry about. Trust my doctors, unless they give me a specific reason not to trust them.
- I maximize the assurance from my wellness checks by practicing a wellness lifestyle. I chose a healthy dietary approach, and I stick to it. Regular exercise is part of my life. If for some reason I can't exercise at my regular intensity, I'm fine with walking for 30 minutes a day a few times a week. I don't live at the natural grocery store and the gym. It's simply a matter of "do this, don't do that" - making healthy choices. It's doesn't need to be expensive. I've eaten healthily and exercised well when my budget was tight.
- I have a good psychologist and speak with him when the need arises. When he gave me a diagnosis for my anxiety condition, I told my primary healthcare provider. When the need has arisen, she has been a valuable player in my anxiety team (along with me and my psychologist).
- I stay engaged with other people. When I see others going through life without these anxieties, it helps to keep me grounded.
- I keep a spiritual outlook.
Wishing you all the best!
Last edited: