Confined by Temperatures
If you’re affected by the heat or the cold – or both – the temperatures outside can sometimes make you feel like you’re stuck in your own house. If you find your home to be a place of comfort, rest, and security, that may be a welcome thought. But if you find your home to be a place of confinement or isolation, that may be really challenging.
You want to be safe and not put yourself at unnecessary risk of symptoms or a flare by exposing yourself to extreme temperatures. But how do you manage the realities of spending so much time indoors?
Feeling left out
One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with temperature sensitivity is the feeling of being left out when you have to decline an invitation to a gathering or event that you would really love to attend. It’s hard not to feel disappointed and resentful.
It can be even harder when you worry about how others perceive your absence. When you have to cancel last-minute, it’s natural to worry that the person on the other end doesn’t fully understand or believe the risks you face. Then, of course, you start to worry that the invitations will stop coming, leaving you feeling even more isolated.
Mindset is the greatest challenge
This is why I believe that we have to first address the biggest challenge: our mindset. I learned in my early days of studying yoga and mindfulness that my thoughts could be either my greatest asset or my toughest enemy. If you’re like most people, you can relate more to the latter than the former. I mean, do you ever talk to yourself in a harsh and critical way?
You’re not alone.
It’s important to remember that you are managing a chronic illness – as if you could forget, right? I say this in the sense that not all of our symptoms can be remedied with a quick, over-the-counter medicine. We live with the effects of triggers, such as temperatures, for uncertain amounts of time.
So, while it might not be easy, it’s the right thing to do to choose the option that best takes care of your body and overall health. This isn’t to suggest that it’s not tough to miss out on an event, but protecting yourself from potential flares is important. You have to trust that your true friends and loved ones will understand your situation and continue to include you in their plans.
Keep it real
I personally believe that a big component to that is open communication. Let them know how much you value their invitations, and explain your circumstances. You’re not trying to justify anything or gain their approval – that’s not what this is about. But most people will appreciate your honesty and understand as best they can, and they’ll continue to extend invitations, even if you can’t always accept.
Honest communication with yourself is important too. It can be really helpful and freeing to be honest with yourself about the emotions you’re feeling. It’s easy to suppress them, but the best way to move past feelings of frustration, sadness, or guilt is to process them in a healthy way. You can connect with a support group, counselor, or a close friend, whatever works best for you. Give yourself the gift of being able to process emotions in a healthy way.
Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can under challenging circumstances. Let go of the unrealistic expectations you might have set for yourself. And instead of focusing on what you can’t do, celebrate what you can. If you can’t attend a gathering, maybe you can hop on FaceTime with a friend or send someone a note to show that you’re thinking of them.
When you do have the energy to participate in an activity, make the most of it. Focus on creating meaningful moments rather than feeling pressured to be present all the time.
It’s your turn!
Now I want to hear from you, because your voice and perspective matter! How do you handle the confinement of spending time indoors?
Join the conversation