ChronicIllness – WannaBeNormal

So you are here. If you are here, logic dictates you share similar issues as mine, and while I’ve got a ton to say about all of the things I struggle with daily, and make no mistake, I struggle, but if I had to pick ONE thing that creeps in the longest strongest and loudest to my everyday, its hands down (then up cuz ew?) ANXIETY!
And folks I know the WHY of why I struggle with every minute of every hour of everyday, I think there’s never a second of my life that isnt in some way shape or form exhibiting one of these things. Sometimes we don’t know how to solve the problem that we already have the answer for tucked up in the corner of our brains, out of the way just like memories of our favorite trip on the boat when we were kids, or our very first phone numbers. And THAT my friends, reminds me of the time that my mother changed our phone number and didnt tell me, OR THE SCHOOL what that number was, initially refusing to do so. Ah, fun times. Most of us just don’t suck at giving life the answers and a compassionate ear. But we’ve not been given us the tools one needs to complete a task successfully or one ounce of ability to convey what we learned. We do learn lessons even in failure and defeat. anyway that was unrelated but you’d be surprised at all the systems impacted by our anxiety, both justified and not (I am queen of worrying about shit I can’t do anything about) or at least I was surprised, so let me lay out what I learned:

Let’s face it, folks – when anxiety decides to set up shop in your brain long-term, it’s not just messing with your mind. This unwelcome guest can wreak havoc on your whole body. Here’s the lowdown on what chronic anxiety can do to you:

Physical Toll:

Your immune system takes a nosedive, leaving you open to every bug out there. Chronic anxiety can weaken your immune system, making it less effective at defending your body against infections and illnesses. This leaves you more vulnerable to catching colds, viruses, and other health issues, so even though anxiety itself doesnt exhibit symptoms, your immune system always in flight mode isnt doing you any favors, wearing you down physically.

Your ticker might start acting up (hello, heart problems!) – like you know, it stopping or something, I might know a little about that lol Anxiety triggers the “fight or flight” response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain the heart and blood vessels, contributing to heart disease over time.

Muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back, can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and jaw clenching or teeth grinding. Even if you don’t mean to, words thoughts or actions have a polarizing effect on your body and without adequate self care those affects could become permanent

Say goodbye to peaceful digestion (stomach issues, anyone?) I mean, IBS is ugly to talk about but we all suffer from it from time to time, but anxiety makes it a permanent addition to your alphabet of issues

Constant tension headaches become your new normal – Migraines CAN be caused by tension, or maybe you are tense BECAUSE you have a migraine. They can be caused by something else and made WORSE by a migraine but its never a question vice versa because migraines are never ever a good time..

Mental Mayhem:

Depression might join the party (as if anxiety wasn’t enough) I love it when I get depressed BECAUSE I’m anxious, then somewhere I flip the script and get anxious about always being depressed.
Your memory starts playing hide and seek – I’ve also been told menopause can cause you to forget things, and also menopause can make you for- wait, what was my point? Yes, a joke? but memory loss is one of the worst things and I get so anxious about my memory because I know I KNOW I’ll forget stuff then I wind up trying so hard to not forget something that I forget something else, it’s a self fulfilling prophecy, never ends.
Concentrating becomes as hard as nailing jelly to a wall. Concentrate? LOL I can’t keep something on my brain long enough to concentrate on it lol
Sleep? What’s that? Insomnia becomes your midnight companion. This has affected me in the past but I’ll tell you I honestly fall asleep at the drop of a hat these days. I’m in a legal weed state, draw your own conclusions

Bottom line: Chronic anxiety isn’t just about feeling worried all the time. It’s a whole-body experience that can seriously mess with your health if left unchecked. So if you’re battling this beast, don’t tough it out alone – reaching out for help is the smartest move you can make. We truly are all ‘in it’ together and it would be great if we could work with each other and not against each other. Always remember, kindness is free and highly contagious. Not going to promise because if I’m up to it we’ll be putting the tree up but next week we’ll dig in to what can be done about anxiety (without throwing copious amounts of drugs at it. Til next time gang, take care of yourselves and each other.

Ah, ADHD. That delightful sprinkle of chaos that makes you forget where you put your keys, lose track of time, and somehow turn a grocery store trip into an epic saga. But perhaps the most endearing (read: infuriating) aspect of ADHD is how it makes dietary decisions feel like navigating a minefield with a blindfold on. If you’ve ever felt like your stomach is a rebellious teenager and your meal plans are as stable as a Jenga tower on a trampoline, welcome to the club. Let’s dive into the most common dietary dilemmas we ADHD folks face and offer some helpful, solutions to keep our lives (and our bellies) in check.

1. The “I’m Too Distracted to Eat” Syndrome

You’ve got a fridge full of kale and quinoa, but by the time you remember to eat, it’s too late and you’re face-first in a bag of chips. The solution? Embrace preemptive snacking. Keep healthy snacks at arm’s reach. Put nuts in your desk drawer, fruits on your bedside table, and protein bars in your car.
Quick Fix: Stock up on single-serving snack packs. Alternatively, block off a Sunday a week (or month depending on your needs) and make your own single use packs. I’ve been getting into couponing again and you if you can plan ahead (like with a handy dandy planner I’m selling in my shop, just saying)
You can’t forget to eat them if they’re practically begging you to.
Bonus: They’re perfect for your snack-on-the-go lifestyle.

2. The “What’s Cooking? Oh Look, a New Cat Video” Problem

Planning and cooking meals can be as exciting as watching paint dry—unless that paint is a viral cat video. To combat this, try meal prepping like a boss. Channel your inner Food Network star and prepare meals in bulk. You’ll thank yourself later when you’ve got a week’s worth of meals ready to go.
Quick Fix: Find a meal prep buddy. If cooking isn’t your thing, delegate it to someone who loves it. Your job? Show up for the free food and the occasional, “I’m here to eat, not to cook.”

3. The “Healthy Food Is Too Complicated” Conundrum

We get it; kale is basically the poster child for ‘health food,’ but who has time to figure out what the heck a spiralizer is? Instead of getting bogged down by the latest food fads, stick to simple, nutritious foods. Go for things you can recognize as food without needing a Ph.D. to understand.
Quick Fix: Buy pre-chopped veggies and pre-cooked grains. Less fuss, fewer excuses. If you can’t mess up a pre-made salad, then it’s probably foolproof enough for you.

4. The “Too Many Choices, So I’ll Have Pizza” Dilemma

Decision fatigue is real. When faced with too many options, you might just end up ordering pizza because it’s the path of least resistance. Combat this by creating a weekly meal plan that you can stick to. Simplify your choices to a few go-to meals.
Quick Fix: Create a rotating meal schedule (and maybe invest in a planner… I might know where to find A good one 😉 ) . Think of it as a menu for your life. “Monday is stir-fry night; Tuesday is taco night.” Easy decisions, fewer meltdowns.

5. The “Grocery Store is an Overwhelming Gauntlet” Issue

Shopping for groceries can feel like you’re running an obstacle course designed by someone who hates you. To make it easier, stick to a shopping list and try to avoid the aisles that scream “Impulse Buy!”
Quick Fix: Use a grocery delivery service or curbside pick up. It’s like magic, but without the wand. Order online, and have everything you need delivered right to your doorstep. Just remember to actually check the box for “healthy options.”

6. The “Forget to Drink Water Until You’re a Raisin” Problem

ADHD minds are like sieve-like sponges—absorbing everything but retaining nothing. You may forget to drink water until you’re dehydrated. Set up water reminders on your phone or use an app specifically designed to nag you about hydration.
Quick Fix: Get a water bottle with built-in reminders or a cute design that makes you actually want to drink from it. If it’s adorable, it’s harder to ignore.

So there you have it—an ADHD-friendly guide to managing your diet without losing your sanity. Remember, the key is to keep things simple and set yourself up for success. If you can’t make eating healthy a habit, at least make it easy enough that even your easily distracted brain can handle it. Make a game of it in your head, fixate on researching food and calories, turn your stubborn fixation into a strength, research the hell out of it and come up with a meal plan thats flexible yet still nutritious and doable. Now go forth, snack responsibly, and may your grocery trips be ever short and your meals ever delicious! Take care of yourself, and each other!

Tag: ChronicIllness

Anxiety’s Toll – When Worry Grabs You By The….