Why Im Prioritizing Self-Care During Psoriasis Action Month

After getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 I was hoping I could throw myself into patient-advocacy projects for Psoriasis Action Month. But with the extra infectious delta variant dominating the news and COVID-19 rates ticking up in my area, nothing feels normal quite yet.

In fact, the emotional impact of the pandemic is hitting me harder now than ever before. So I’m taking a different approach for Psoriasis Action Month. Instead of getting busier, I’m planning to rest and de-stress.

The Pandemic’s Impact on My Psoriasis

I haven’t tested positive for COVID-19 or exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, but the pandemic impacted my health in other ways, draining the emotional reserves I rely on to cope with my psoriasis effectively.

I began by talking about how much I appreciated seeing everyone in person. Staying home for months on end had left me feeling isolated from others in the psoriasis community, and I missed the support and the opportunities to stay connected.

I also addressed what it was like to give up in-person visits to my dermatologist and switch to telehealth sessions. Although I was dealing with flares during the pandemic, my dermatologist and I decided that it would be better not to change medication until I could resume in-person appointments.

Rest for a Weary Body, Mind, and Soul

The message to prioritize rest and emotional recovery came from unlikely sources. Even though I’ve been learning the ropes at a new job, my supervisor encouraged me to slow down. Work conferences where I expected to hear about goal-setting instead emphasized the importance of self-care.

When I felt pressure to be more productive, I told myself to take breaks until I felt up to the task. Indeed, I’m recognizing how every part of me needs rest.

My body is telling me to sleep more and more actively manage my insomnia. With the summer heat I haven’t been doing as many of my usual walks, which help me wind down at the end of the day. Those excursions out in the neighborhood relieve stress from my body and provide a mental break from my daily responsibilities.

My soul needs to recover from the sadness of the pandemic. So for Psoriasis Action Month, I’m blocking out time to process the losses I’ve incurred.

Take Action This Month to Prioritize Self-Care

This Psoriasis Action Month, if you’re feeling anything like I am, you understand the need for rest. You sense how hard the pandemic has hit you and your physical and emotional health.

Giving yourself permission to rest might be one of the most powerful things you can do.

You can read more about my experiences on my website, PsoHoward.

The Latest in Psoriasis

Picking at Your Psoriasis Scales? Do This Instead

It’s tempting to peel and pick at those itchy scales, but if you can help it, there are better ways to cope.

What Black Patients Need To Know About The Effects of Psoriasis

Psoriasis can look differently on darker skin than on lighter skin — and knowing how to spot the symptoms is an important first step of the treatment ...

Ways to Protect Your Eye Health — and Preserve Your Vision — With Psoriasis

How to keep the skin condition from negatively impacting your vision.

7 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Next Hair Salon Visit if You Have Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis symptoms can make a routine trip to the hair salon stressful. But with the right approach, you can have an easier visit — and a healthy...

Do You Need a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster if You Have Psoriasis?

Psoriasis drugs that work by suppressing the body’s immune response may raise the risk of COVID-19 complications. If you’re already immunized, can a booster...

Psoriasis Awareness: A 2021 Special Report

Psoriasis flares have been on the rise in 2021, according to a survey of ishonest readers who have the skin condition. Here’s what might be to ...

Psoriasis: How to Deal with Cracked, Bleeding Skin

Take these steps to heal your skin and avoid future fissures.

Your Psoriasis Diet: Best Foods for Spring and Summer

Ready to break out your favorite warm-weather recipes? Here are delicious anti- inflammatory ingredients you should consider using.

Have Psoriasis? Here’s How You Can Reduce Your Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis

If you have psoriasis, you may be worried about developing psoriatic arthritis down the line. But while you can't control your genetics, there are steps...

Read more on: psoriasis