Welcome to my Lifestyle Parenting Blog, where I explore topics related to chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia while embracing a passion for yoga, books, and blogging.

Navigating Life with MECFS: How Chronic Illness Altered Our Family Walks
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

Navigating Life with MECFS: How Chronic Illness Altered Our Family Walks

Living with a chronic illness, such as ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and chronic pain, has impacted every aspect of my life, even something as seemingly simple as our weekend family walks with our beloved dogs. Our once carefree long strolls, time with our children, and upbeat walks with our furry babies have now turned into slow, laborious, and much shorter walks with the support of my crutches. My chronic illness has brought about a significant change in our physical routines and how we spend our valuable family time together.

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Chronic Illness: Why Mornings Are the Worst
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

Chronic Illness: Why Mornings Are the Worst

Unrefreshing sleep

Living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) presents a daily battle of exhaustion, pain, and the struggle to function. Despite seemingly getting a good night's sleep, the mornings greet me with unrefreshed fatigue and crippling pain in my back, neck, and arms. As I navigate the tasks of the day, from getting my children ready for school to tending to daily chores, the fog of fatigue and pain clouds every moment.

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Embracing Hobbies with Chronic Illness: 10 Activities to Brighten Your Days
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

Embracing Hobbies with Chronic Illness: 10 Activities to Brighten Your Days

Living with long-term illness, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or experiencing sudden fatigue/pain episodes, can feel like navigating through a relentless storm. The continuous cycle of fatigue symptoms, doctor's appointments, and the unpredictability of chronic pain can leave us feeling adrift and disconnected from the activities that once brought us joy.

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Buying Crutches: A Journey of Acceptance and Empowerment
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

Buying Crutches: A Journey of Acceptance and Empowerment

As I sit down to write this post I am filled with a mix of emotions - excitement, relief, and a sense of accomplishment. I reached a new milestone in my Chronic Illness journey: buying disability aids such as crutches/walking stick. While this may seem like a small and insignificant purchase to some, for me it marks a new era in my life. It serves as a reminder that my body is failing me.

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Why I Side Step the question when asked How am I today
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

Why I Side Step the question when asked How am I today

Navigating the challenging path of chronic illness, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (MECFS), transforms the simple question of 'How are you today?' into a loaded question. It carries the weight of countless unseen struggles and unpredictable symptoms, making living with chronic fatigue and chronic pain a complex reality to convey.

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My Battle with ME: When Fatigue Affects My Vision
Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes Chronic Illness Tanya Hindes

My Battle with ME: When Fatigue Affects My Vision

Living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (MECFS) has presented me with a variety of challenges, one of the most difficult being the impact on my vision. As the fatigue sets in, I often find that my vision becomes blurry or hazy, making it difficult to focus on tasks or even just see clearly. This has been frustrating and at times overwhelming, as it adds an extra layer of difficulty to my daily life.

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Tips on how to parent with a chronic illness
Chronic Illness, Family Life Tanya H Chronic Illness, Family Life Tanya H

Tips on how to parent with a chronic illness

Parenting is demanding at the best of times. Throw in my chronic illness, and it can seem like an uphill climb. How do I take care of my children while struggling to take care of myself? How do I balance their needs with my limitations? It's a never-ending cycle of guilt and frustration. But with my determination, adequate strategies, and a dash of self-compassion, I can not only navigate this journey but also create a wholesome environment for my children.

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Tips on how to get a good night’s sleep with a chronic illness
Chronic Illness Tanya H Chronic Illness Tanya H

Tips on how to get a good night’s sleep with a chronic illness

For those of us dealing with the extra challenges brought about by chronic illness, we find ourselves frequently grappling with sleep disruptions due to symptoms or medication side effects, pain and so much more. When you try to close your eyes, trying to ignore the pain in your body, only to be met with endless tossing and turning. The quest for quality sleep amidst ongoing health battles can be frustrating, upsetting and debilitating.

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How I Manage Chronic Pain
Chronic Illness Tanya H Chronic Illness Tanya H

How I Manage Chronic Pain

Each day when I open my eyes, I am met with stiffness and discomfort, often accompanied by the unnerving sensation of my arms being completely numb or filled with pins and needles. From the moment I wake up, I find myself analysing the intensity of the pain that will accompany me throughout the day. There is never a day that goes by without some level of pain, but there are moments

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Finding Acceptance and Positivity When Living With Chronic Illness
Chronic Illness Tanya H Chronic Illness Tanya H

Finding Acceptance and Positivity When Living With Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness is tough, there's no denying it. It can drain you mentally, physically, and emotionally. But I refuse to let it defeat me. It's been a journey of acceptance and positivity, finding that perfect balance to live my best life despite the limitations that my body has forced upon me. And let me tell you, it's not easy, but it's worth it.

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Why I Use Yoga to Help Me Live with Chronic Pain
Chronic Illness Tanya H Chronic Illness Tanya H

Why I Use Yoga to Help Me Live with Chronic Pain

Living with cervical spinal narrowing, arthritis in the spine, mechanical back pain, MECFS, fibromyalgia, and chronic tennis elbow is a daily battle for me. Pain is my constant companion, and exercise intolerance is a frustrating reality. But I refuse to let it control my life completely. While medication helps, I don't want to be reliant on to many painkillers that may well leave me unable to fully function. So, I've had to find other means and ways to try different ways to manage the pain.

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Having A Chronic Illness Is A Full Time Job
Chronic Illness Tanya H Chronic Illness Tanya H

Having A Chronic Illness Is A Full Time Job

On one of my previous posts about my chronic illness journey a reader left a lovely comment “it honestly feels like a part time job sometimes” – this comment hit home, it resonated with me because it captures the reality of the situation. It was the first time I’d thought of it in that way, but she is correct, being chronically ill is a Part/Full Time Job.

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