Get Spiritual
When is the last time you prayed? When is the last time you went to church or spoke to a religious official? When is the last time that you felt connected to nature or the world around you?
Improving your spiritual health is crucial because after a medical diagnosis, people begin to question their higher power. You may be asking questions about your life and your death.
Knowing where you stand on issues of life and death make it easier to cope with today.
Get Mental
Working on your mental health specifically will give you the resources needed to cope as effectively as possible.
Any major transition in your life creates opportunity for unwanted feelings and past issues to present. Maybe the osteoarthritis diagnosis is not the main concern, but it is allowing old complications to affect you in the present.
A therapist is a great tool you should consider using to combat this problem. During sessions, your therapist can help you identify the feelings, situations, people and behaviors that are contributing to your symptoms while offering interventions that others have found helpful. Art therapy might also be something worth exploring.
Grief and loss is a major concern for people that are coping with a new medical condition. Therapists can guide you from shock to acceptance in a smoother manner than you can do alone.
Add Connections
A therapist is a great support to have in your life, but you need more. More supports will grant you varied experiences and more opportunities for fun.
Your diagnosis may have you feeling that fun is a thing of the past. Challenge that flawed notion to see that so much of the world is waiting for you.
Having fun is fine to do alone, but being with people you care about always boosts the benefit. Find people through coping groups or community activities. When you are looking for friends, anyone is fair game.
Be Open
This item is listed last, but it is probably the most important thing you can do to aid in your coping with osteoarthritis.
Being open means that you allow others to know and understand your mindset, your feelings and your thinking patterns. This means that you make yourself vulnerable to other people and the outside world.
Do not fear this risk, though. Being open means that other people will be better prepared to help you and that you will be better able to describe your situation and needs accurately.
Conclusion
Coping is not easy. Good coping takes time, but this good coping will lead to very positive results. The easy choice is rarely the best choice. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to deal with what osteoarthritis and life sends your way.
