Help those with chronic illness find hope

For many people with chronic illness, the holidays can be a difficult time. To make things easier, experts recommend that people with chronic illnesses and their family and friends reach out for the hope and magic the holiday season can offer.

Linda Morgante, of the Multiple Sclerosis Care Center at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, recommends trying the following:

•Â Think about the good times. Remembering good experiences about the past helps you be strong for the present.

•Â Imagine a brighter tomorrow. Visualize the way you want your life to be. Actually see yourself doing the things you want to do. Positive thinking is healthy for the mind, body and spirit.

•Â Remember, you are in control. No matter how out of control your life can feel, especially during the holidays, there is always something that you can do to achieve control. Don't be afraid to say no or ask for what you need. Also, don't be afraid to say yes.

•Â Use humor. A heartfelt laugh is good for the soul.

•Â Enjoy simple pleasures. The smells, the lights and the sounds of the holiday season can bring a lot of happiness to your life. It is the little things in our life that makes us the happiest.

•Â Renew relationships with family and friends. The support you can receive from family and friends can give you hope for the future.

•Â See options for yourself. Open yourself up to the magic of the holiday season. Let the stories of the season sweep you into believing the impossible is possible. If you believe you can accomplish a goal, that is the first step toward getting there.

If you still feel depressed, call a doctor or nurse for advice on ways to regain hope. PR