Caring Crate Blog — Chronic Illness

Those who are living with chronic illnesses know just what an impact the weather can have on how you feel.  While the warmer weather might be beneficial for those dealing with inflammation-related issues like arthritis, having a chronic illness in general can make you more sensitive to extreme heat (not to mention thanks to the medication that you might be taking).  Certain chronic illnesses such as POTS can also cause heat intolerance, meaning that heat can make symptoms worse.  If you're feeling especially uncomfortable, these tips can help to make the next heat wave a little more manageable.

  Dealing with chronic illness can be isolating and overwhelming.  Whether you're needing something that uplifts you and provides encouragement or needing to hear words that just explain how you're feeling and allow you to feel your sadness and frustration, this can be found through music.  Here are 15 songs with lyrics that relate to chronic illness:     She shuts out the nightTries to close her eyesIf she can find daylightShe'll be alrightShe'll be alrightJust not tonight  Her Diamonds -  Rob Thomas Hope when you take that jumpYou don't fear the fallHope when the water risesYou built a wallHope...

When you're dealing with chronic illness, it's easy to feel isolated and alone.  Because podcasts are so easily accessible, they are a great way to listen to other's stories and experiences, hear from experts, and get helpful advice from those who have been there.  Whether you're looking for wellness tips, inspiration, or understanding, we've got a podcast for you.

Whether you struggle with getting enough sleep yourself, or you're looking to treat someone who could use a little help prioritizing their rest, we've chosen some amazing gifts to help promote relaxation and better sleep.

Living with hypothryoidism or Hashimoto’s disease can lead to some pretty difficult symptoms like fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and having difficulty getting warm. The thyroid is a very important organ in your body as it controls your metabolism - essentially being like the engine in your car. If you deal with thyroid issues, chances are you’ve heard that certain foods are great for supporting thyroid health. And this is what dietitian Emily Kyle’s book The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook: 125 Recipes for Healing Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s is all about. All of the recipes are designed to take 30 minutes or less, to help when you’re feeling worn down, with all recipes being gluten-free and dairy-free, and special labels for plant-based eaters, those on the elimination diet, and those going through the elimination protocol. Emily Kyle was nice enough to share one of her recipes from the book with us, a tasty berry smoothie that is packed with nutrients and works for a variety of diets.