Ten Essentials for Managing CMT

[Guest guest]

Ten Essentials for Managing CMT - adapted by GG from

( Perkins, M.Ed. is a holistic health counselor specializing in issues of

living with chronic illness, chronic pain and disability)

Managing CMT means to take responsibility for the actions that are

necessary for you to cope and live life as optimally as possible

within the limits you are faced with. It empowers you to improve the

quality of your life, reduces helplessness and hopelessness and

promotes self-confidence and self-esteem.

There are many steps one can take to manage their CMT, and these

steps may vary greatly from week to week or from individual to

individual. But, there are several essentials that are fundamental to

any health care path regardless of diagnosis.

These essentials are:

1. Proper Nutrition

You are what you eat. What you eat has a profound impact on your

mental and physical health. Eating a healthy diet is essential for

optimal functioning and healing. This may include incorporating new

foods into your diet or eliminating some favorites. At the very least

try eliminating things such as sugar, caffeine, refined foods and

unhealthy fats and replacing these with whole foods such as

vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruits and fresh or frozen

meat and poultry. Preferably your diet should be free of chemicals

and toxins found in the average diet such as pesticides, herbicides,

additives, dyes and preservatives. Healing can't take place in a body

fed with unhealthy foods and neither can maximum functioning.

2. Exercise

Incorporating exercise into your life is crucial for the mind, body

and soul. The body's natural release of endorphins, which occurs with

exercise, provides wonderful emotional uplifts and is also a

fantastic pain reliever. In addition to reducing heart disease,

building healthy bones and muscles and managing weight, it is an

excellent outlet for relieving depression, anger, stress and anxiety

and also boosts self-esteem and self-confidence. Regular exercise

improves energy levels, help you sleep better and more deeply,

promotes healthy bowels and boosts the immune system.

3. Soul Nourishing

Feeding your soul healthy food is just as important as feeding your

stomach. Find ways to nourish and replenish your soul. Participate in

activities that make you feel whole, alive and one with universe.

Neglecting your soul results in loss of joy and life fulfillment.

Yoga, meditation, prayer, communing with nature, music, art, writing

or deep meaningful relationships are some great sources of soul food.

4. Take an Active Role in Your Health Care

You should play a central role in your health care treatment. Instead

of passive compliance with doctor's orders this requires a

partnership with your health care provider. You're with your body 24

hours a day, so no one knows how your CMT or treatment approaches

impact you and your life, better than you do. Be an active

participant in treatment approaches, pursue all possible avenues,

present your doctor with options.

5. Communication

Honest, direct communication with health care providers, friends,

family etc., is vital to your mental and physical health as well as

the quality of your relationships. You'll get the best possible care

if your doctor is clear about your symptoms and how CMT impacts you.

Everyone gets their needs met more effectively when there is

understanding of one another and this can only occur with

communication. Communication prevents misunderstandings and promotes

intimacy.

6. Educate Yourself

Learn everything you possibly can about CMT and your options. Consult

with physicians, nutritionists, alternative health providers, other

individuals with your condition, etc. Go to the library or bookstore

and read everything you can get your hands on, do research on the

Internet. Saturate your mind with knowledge about all aspects of your

condition so that you can make informed choices. Self-knowledge

restores a sense of personal power.

7. Pace Yourself

Set priorities with your time and your energy. Break down your tasks

and activities into hard and easy categories and list them according

to priority. Do the things that are urgent or most important first

and then the others when you are capable. Break long-term goals down

into several short-term goals. Permit yourself to achieve the goal in

small steps instead of all at once. Always allow yourself to rest

when needed and give yourself permission to leave the list

unfinished. Be flexible and accept your limits. Allow yourself time

to recuperate when you have participated in a draining activity.

8. Humor and Inspiration

Humor and inspiration are good for the soul and the entire body and

necessary to help us keep things in perspective and out of

negativity. They improve mood and make life a little lighter and more

manageable. Feed yourself with humor and inspiration daily. Keep

quotes, nature pictures or jokes in your daily space for frequent

viewing, with things like calendars, or if you have Internet access

you can receive quotes of the day or jokes of the day delivered to

your email box. You can also watch funny films, read cartoons or read

inspirational magazines or books.

9. Nurture Primary Relationships

Everyone needs love and support and it is especially important for

CMT persons. It assists in the acceptance and adjustment process,

helps you cope and relationships are what makes life worth living.

There is nothing more fulfilling than loving and being loved. CMT can

be a strain and stress on relationships and has the potential to

erode or destroy them if left unchecked. It will be necessary to make

a conscious effort to nourish them. Make those most important to you

a priority and reserve quality time for them. Encourage open

communication of feelings. Deal with the impact CMT has on your

relationships directly and honestly. People have a tendency to try

and spare one another's feelings by avoiding these types of

discussions, and although you may avoid the discomfort of the moment,

in the long run this is destructive to the relationship. Seek friends

who are supportive and understanding.

10. Reduce Stress

Life is stressful and there is no way to eliminate it, but keeping

stress to a minimum and finding ways to deal effectively with your

stress on a daily basis is essential to preventing it from

overburdening your already limited physical and emotional capacities.

Delegate responsibilities and chores to others in your life if

possible. Shorten duration of visits and activities when necessary.

Participate in soothing, relaxing activities like, massage,

meditation, prayer and exercise. Don't allow yourself to get caught

up in the vicious rat race of life by trying to live up to others

expectations. Most of society lives a very unhealthy pace of life.

Keep life simple; enjoy the simple things of life.