Chronic diseases impacts people of all ages, in all careers, across all walks of life, but one commonality is that chronic conditions can make it hard to hold down a job, never mind maintain work-life balance. It can make you wonder if balance should even be the goal. Rather than thinking about managing your chronic disease and your job in terms of “balance,” it may be better to focus on finding the accommodations and care options that help you thrive. Chronic diseases shouldn’t force you to abandon your goals, but it may force you to advocate for yourself in new ways.


Get Organized

Every busy professional knows that staying organized is vital to success, but it’s even more important when simultaneously managing health issues. So what’s the best approach? Many people with chronic health issues find it’s much easier to keep track of things on paper than in digital format, so grab a planner or a calendar and start putting everything in order. The recent planner trend means you have plenty of options. Don’t forget to include your health maintenance responsibilities in your planner. Managing a chronic illness is a big responsibility and can involve rigorous medication schedules, developing an adapted exercise regimen, and numerous specialist appointments. Even small changes can make a big difference and using wellness trackers can help you build better habits that translate to your work life.


Advocate Intelligently

Deciding whether or not to disclose your health status to your employer is a big decision, but one advantage to explaining your situation is that it allows you to collaborate on modifications and encourage your employer to provide support. Most employers know that disability-friendly work environments are important, but few stop to implement such practices until an employee requests them. Yes, it’s an added responsibility but when you act as an advocate for yourself, you also pave the way for other disabled employees to have their needs met more easily.


Being Your Best Self – With Chronic Disease

When it comes to chronic conditions, forget balance. What every person with chronic health issues learns is that, when your body demands something, you change course – you act. But that also means you quickly learn to prioritize and that skill translates to your professional life. Though it may not seem like a strength at first, chronic diseases can make you a better employee.

Though chronic illness can present a number of different problems when it comes to remaining in the workforce, there are numerous supports available to you. So, don’t let yourself be discouraged if your health sidetracks your career. This isn’t the end – it’s just a chance to change how you approach your professional life.

This article was originally published on Thrive Global but adapted for WIBN – See Original Article LINK Here


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