Nothing should stop you from having the career of your dreams, even an autoimmune disease. There are ways to handle a career when you have an autoimmune disease so you can stay on track, stay healthy, and enjoy your exciting career. In this article, we’ll discuss what this looks like and how you can implement some helpful ideas.
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Stay Transparent
Autoimmune diseases often consist of flare-ups, and also days or even months with no symptoms at all. It’s important that the people you work with understand that your symptoms can strike out of nowhere, and just because you seem fine doesn’t mean you won’t have a bad day. And vice versa, a bad day doesn’t mean every day will be a struggle. Let others at work know that you cope with your autoimmune disease and live a normal daily life. Also, let them know you’ll take the steps necessary to ensure you’re healthy and able to function well, but that you also appreciate their understanding.
Work Remotely
Not everyone can work remotely, but if you can, it’s a great option for those who struggle with an autoimmune disease. Being at home is helpful for those days where everything hurts. You can work from the couch using your laptop.
Take Breaks
Breaks are required for a reason. Your body and mind need them. If you’re on your feet all day, you need to sit. If you sit all day, you need to move. Don’t try to be a hero by skipping breaks. Take care of yourself and use break time wisely.
Invest in Furniture
The right chair and desk make all the difference. Inflammation of the joints is a common symptom of many autoimmune diseases. When your job requires you to be at a computer all day, your desk and chair are significant factors in how you feel. Many chairs are ergonomically designed to support joints. Desks that remain in a position for you to sit, or adjust when you need to stretch and stand, are also helpful.
Reduce Job Stress
Some days, stress reduction at work seems impossible. However, if you look around and consider certain factors, maybe there are some changes to make in order to reduce stress. Is it time for a change in roles? Or is there a new plan of attack you could suggest that eliminates unnecessary stress for certain tasks?
Talk with coworkers who feel the same stresses that you are and see how you all can work together to improve the situation. Also, remember not to take your work home with you, even if you work from home. Be strict with yourself about a cutoff time each day. Work can wait, but your health won’t.
Now that we’ve gone over a few ways to handle a career when you have an autoimmune disease, it’s up to you to take action and implement some new ideas into your workday. You deserve better health and a fulfilling career. Thankfully, both are possible.
