Self-care is oh so important as a PAH patient.
I think you should do what your body will allow you to do.
It's very important for social interaction as well. So, I like to be together with friends, having dinner, catching a movie.
Live this new normal life to the best of your ability. Before you even decide to go and be active, check with your doctor. This is the circle of life. They are there to help you as well as you're there to help them. So, you need to be honest with your doctor.
You're going to have days that aren't as good as others. And that time is when it's really important to cut yourself some slack and grant yourself the grace that you need that day.
But that's in everyday life, even if you didn't have this illness, you're going to have down days.
Keeping a schedule is also very important because it streamlines a lot of how your day will go.
I write down how I feel every day. I write down my weight. I keep a journal on everything. You need to be consistent in everything that you do.
I try to spend as much time as I can outside. I do a lot of yoga. I think that's very good for mental clarity, for body flexibility, and for just giving yourself the chance to clear everything out of your system entirely.
I listen to my nutritionist. We go back and forth over what I should eat and what I shouldn't eat.
We also do a lot of cooking in my house so I can kind of watch the low sodium and cook as fresh as possible.
I think spirituality is a good part of being healthy. I go to church. I get involved in the church community.
I'm an extrovert. So making sure that my social life is engaged is very important for my mental health. But also, it's equally as important to be taking care of yourself mentally. Check and see, “how are you feeling? Am I burnt out?”
And lift your head up and say, “I can do this.”
To stay positive, you do the best that you can.
I have PAH, but PAH does not have me. It's not going to control my life.
Living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be a big adjustment and taking care of yourself can make a big difference. But where do you start? In this short video, PAH patients and PAH Initiative Ambassadors Gwen and Lauren talk about their approaches to self-care and healthy living with PAH.
PAH is a complicated disease that can be difficult to understand. We’ve broken it down for you with easy-to-understand information, simple graphics, and informative videos from a PAH specialist.
What Is PAH?
Learn how Peggy renewed her competitive spirit after her PAH diagnosis and how she won’t let an oxygen tank define her.
Competitive Spirit with PAH ⟩
How has knowing their risk status helped Lauren and Karen better understand if their treatment plan is working?
Knowing your PAH Risk Status ⟩
Living with PAH can be a big adjustment and taking care of yourself can make a big difference. But where do you start?
Self-Care and Healthy Living ⟩