How to Maintain a Positive Outlook when Living with Lyme Disease

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1Managing Your Emotions

2Taking Care of Your Body

3Finding Acceptance

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If you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme disease, you might feel discouraged or angry at the prospect of living with the condition for the rest of your life. Lyme disease can cause chronic fatigue, pain, and brain fog, all of which can make daily functioning difficult. However, Lyme disease is manageable. With the right medical treatment and good self-care, you can minimize your symptoms and live a full, satisfying life. Accepting your disease, taking care of your body, and managing your emotional health are a few ways you can maintain a positive outlook while living with Lyme disease.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Managing Your Emotions

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   Reduce your day-to-day stress levels. Mental and emotional stress can cause your Lyme disease symptoms to flare up, so avoid it as much as you can. Reserve some quiet time to relax every day, and don’t take on more responsibilities than you can handle.

   • Meditation, yoga, and reading are a few tried-and-true relaxation strategies.
   • Don’t apologize to others or feel guilty for respecting your limits. You don’t have to make yourself sick for people who don’t understand your illness.
   • Avoid comparing yourself with people who do not have Lyme disease. You shouldn't try to judge what you are reasonably able to do against what it seems like other people can do.
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   Seek support from friends and family. Reach out to your loved ones when you need some company or a listening ear. Avoid isolating yourself, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Try to call or text one person a day to check in.

   • Educate the people close to you about Lyme disease, so they understand what you’re going through.
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   Participate in support groups for people with Lyme disease. Although friends and family may try their best to empathize with your condition, there’s nothing like connecting with others who are in the same shoes. Find support groups in your community, in a neighboring city, or online.

   • In support groups, you can hear the trials and triumphs of others with your condition. You might also get handy strategies for better managing your disease.
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   Write in a journal. When you’re feeling sad, frustrated, or alone, get your emotions out on a piece of paper. Journaling can be very cathartic, and it’s a good way to process thoughts and feelings that you don’t want to share with others.

   • If you don’t like journaling, consider expressing yourself through blogging or writing fiction.
   • Activities like drawing or painting may also help you express and manage your emotions.
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   Make time for things you enjoy. Do your best to find or create little pleasures in your life, even on days when you’re feeling sick. Something as small as opening your window on a warm day or watching your favorite funny movie can lift your mood and take your mind off your illness.

   • Remember that happiness is not always a natural state of being. Sometimes, it takes conscious effort to feel happiness. By understanding this, you can make happiness a priority for yourself.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Body

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   Stick to your medication regimen. Medication is one of the most essential parts of managing Lyme disease. Take all your antibiotics and other medications as directed, and check in with your doctor frequently to make any necessary changes.

   • If you are taking antibiotics, make sure to also take a probiotic daily to reduce the risk of yeast infections.
   • Keep a daily log of your activities, the medications you take, and how you feel. Bring it to your checkups to help your doctor determine which meds are working for you and which, if any, aren’t.
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   Discuss complementary treatments with your doctor. It can be helpful to talk to your doctor about supplements and other alternative treatments. Many people have successfully incorporated herbal and nutritional supplements into their Lyme disease treatment plan. Ask your doctor which supplements are safe and appropriate for you to take.

   • Do not try to use supplements as a replacement for medications prescribed by your doctor.
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   Learn how to handle a Herxheimer reaction. A Herxheimer reaction occurs when Lyme disease bacteria die off faster than your body can process them. This can make you feel sick for a few days. Drinking plenty of water, consuming lemon juice, and exercising are a few ways to ease the discomfort of a Herxheimer reaction, or “herx.”

   • Dry brushing your skin before a shower and rinsing your mouth out with vegetable oil can also help you detox during a Herxheimer reaction.
   • When you rinse your mouth with vegetable oil, swish it around for about sixty seconds before spitting it out.
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   Avoid sugar, dairy, and gluten. Processed sugar, dairy products, and foods containing gluten can all contribute to inflammation and feed the Lyme bacteria in your body. Stay away from these foods and eat a nutrient-dense diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and lean protein.

   • Consider avoiding coffee and energy drinks, too. Caffeine can disrupt your sleep cycle, which may make your Lyme disease symptoms worse.
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   Exercise when you are able to. Build up your strength and immune system by exercising gently when you feel well enough. Some simple stretching, light resistance training, or walking can help you feel better and prevent Lyme relapses.

   • If you have lost a lot of strength during your battle with Lyme disease, a physical therapy program can help you recover.
   • Many doctors recommend avoiding aerobic exercise until Lyme disease symptoms are in remission.
   • Listen to your body and go more slowly than you think you need to. It’s easy to overdo exercise when you have Lyme disease.
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   Get enough rest. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and make time to rest during the day. On days when you feel well, resist the urge to jump back into your regular activities. This will probably just wear you out, and it might even cause a relapse.

   • If you have trouble sleeping at night, work on your sleep hygiene. Several steps you can take include establishing a regular sleep schedule, turning your electronics off an hour before bedtime, and creating a nightly ritual that helps you relax.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Acceptance

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   Learn as much as you can about Lyme disease. The more you know about your condition, the more confident you’ll feel when making decisions about your treatment. Search the internet for information about Lyme disease and educate yourself about the various treatment options available to you.

   • Make sure that you are getting your information from reputable websites backed by research, such as the Center for Disease Control, LymeDisease.org, or the Mayo Clinic.
   • Never change your treatment based on information found online without first checking in with your doctor.
   • Blogs and chat rooms can help provide support, but if you find that they make you worried or upset about your symptoms, you may not want to read them.
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   Focus on what you can control. You can’t get rid of your disease, but you can empower yourself to manage it effectively. Regain a sense of control over your health by building habits that improve your well-being.

   • For instance, instead of resenting the fact that you can’t eat sugary foods anymore, focus on how much better you feel when you make nutritious food choices.
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   Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, or the practice of giving your full attention to the present moment, can help you cultivate a sense of peaceful acceptance in your life. To build the habit of mindfulness, try incorporating yoga, meditation, or journaling into your daily routine.

   • You can also practice mindfulness by slowing down and immersing yourself in an activity like taking a walk or eating a meal.
   • Mindfulness may be difficult at first. Do not get discouraged. With practice, you will find it becoming easier over time. It can take a while to retrain your brain to operate differently.
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   Talk with a counselor or therapist. If you’re having trouble adjusting to life with a chronic condition, make an appointment with a mental health professional. Therapy can be a good way to process the changes and new emotions that go along with a diagnosis of Lyme disease.

   • Look for a therapist who has experience working with people who have chronic conditions.
   • You may want to look for a therapist that emphasizes pain management.
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