PHYSICAL HEALTH - Find an Outlet

Clearly, the theme of my posts is how to sustain good health in your life. One way or another, your physical health is impacted by nearly everything you experience. It’s natural—as a byproduct of living with Sickle Cell—to feel at times angry, sad, frustrated, or any number of negative emotions. What matters is how you deal with those feelings. Don’t allow those unpleasant thoughts to take control of your life. Finding healthy ways to purge the negativities that often get bottled up inside is an essential part of keeping all four points of your health sound.

When I say “find an outlet,” I mean look for a physical activity you can do that will allow you to release your frustrations and anxieties. My outlet has taken many forms throughout my life. As a teenager I was physically able to do more than I can today. Some of my outlets then included tap and jazz dancing, low intense weight lifting, racquetball, volleyball, and other sports. As I grew older and less able to physically tolerate those kinds of activities, I found other recreations, like playing pool and darts. Riding my bicycle and walking my dog are the current physical activities I’m still able to enjoy.

Occasionally, if I’m feeling good enough, I can still play a game of volleyball now and again. Washing, waxing, and detailing my car—which is both enjoyable and physically tiring—has become an effective stress reliever for me. Often I will walk the mall or stroll through my favorite store just to get some exercise. Doing light yard work is also a useful outlet.

Though these aren’t physical activities, art, journal and poetry writing have been, and still are, the outlets I use most. They are something I can always do no matter how good or bad I may be feeling. They have been my emotional dumping ground. My journal is a place where I can unload what’s inside and instantly feel better. Whatever their form, the outlets I’ve used have significantly increased my ability to cope with my illness; and that is the reason why I have nearly fifty volumes in my journal collection. My journal writing is the reason why I’m still sane; at least, that’s what the voices inside my head tell me.

I strongly encourage you find your own outlet. Perhaps your health is at a place where it will allow you to use sports or other physical activities for this purpose. If so, just be wise and modify your activities, as your health requires. Whatever interests you have, use them as a coping tool to better endure life’s curveballs. Living well with Sickle Cell will become a little bit easier as you do.