Protecting your wellbeing through a tough health issue

 

If you've been seriously injured or diagnosed with a chronic illness, you may feel like your world’s been turned upside down.

Endless medical appointments, long hours spent at home or in the hospital, difficulties doing the things you used to do—these can all have a profound impact on the way you live your life.

"It's a very big and very sudden change for a lot of people," says Georgia Maling, a coach for Australian Unity’s mental health program Mindstep™. "It certainly rocks people's identity."

It's a hard situation—and one where you might expect your wellbeing to suffer alongside your health. But that's not necessarily the case.

Indeed, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index—a 20-year study into Australians' wellbeing, conducted in partnership with Deakin University—found that we can still experience normal levels of wellbeing if we're unwell. Why? Our health is just one of seven factors, or domains, that contribute to our wellbeing, which means that the other domains can help to mitigate the impact of poor health.

In fact, three of these domains—achieving in life (a sense of purpose), standard of living (financial security) and relationships—play such a core role when it comes to our wellbeing that they've been dubbed the "golden triangle of happiness”.

Could the golden triangle, then, be the secret to coping with a tough health issue?

 

 

Supporting your sense of purpose

 

Having something that gives us a sense of achievement—whether that's work, volunteering, gardening or playing footy with our local club—is crucial for our wellbeing. So if illness or injury stops us taking part in these activities, it can have a significant effect on our happiness and satisfaction with life.

 

"It can be very frustrating to see all those things you want to do, but not be able to achieve them," says Georgia. "That sense of purpose diminishes when you're no longer capable of doing something you used to."

 

On the other hand, having a sense of purpose can fortify our wellbeing against the impacts of ill health. A 2014 study by the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, conducted in partnership with Deakin University, showing that health satisfaction was less important to the overall wellbeing of people on dialysis than what they were achieving in life.

 

From her perspective as a mental health coach, Georgia suggests strengthening your sense of purpose by focusing on what you can achieve while you're unwell—not on what you can't. "I'd work on accepting your capabilities as they are now, and trying to see the opportunities and positives." She adds: "Focus on what you can do, what you can control, and achieve one small thing each day."

 

She also recommends looking for new opportunities to rediscover your drive and passion. "It might not be the same as before, but it's about finding those outlets that give you purpose."

 

 

Boosting your financial security

 

In her role as National Manager—Legal Partnerships with Australian Unity, Angela Ehsani works with people who have received a financial payout as a result of an illness or injury. It means she sees the impact that financial security can have on our wellbeing every day.

 

"Financial security is about having peace of mind that you can meet your needs," says Angela. "To me, it's having a roof over my head, food on the table, and making sure my kids are safe and secure."

 

So, when it comes to a health event and your finances, what’s the biggest wellbeing challenge? "It's the uncertainty that comes with that event," says Angela. She lists the questions that may be running through your mind: "What is the cost of care? How long am I going to rely on myself or someone else? Is this going to impact my job or income?"

 

If you're worried about your finances, Angela suggests that your first step should be to talk to an expert to understand your options and your entitlements—which, in turn, will help you handle any uncertainty. She points to a colleague who spoke to an insurance adviser after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and discovered—to her surprise—that she was covered for income protection as part of her superannuation.

 

Expert advice doesn't need to be costly or complex, either. "I'm not talking about a sophisticated statement of advice for long-term investment planning," says Angela. She suggests calling a free financial counselling helpline, such as the National Debt Hotline or utilising your workplace's employee assistance program. Even talking to your health insurer to make sure you're taking full advantage of your cover can help you feel more confident about your financial situation.

 

Making an effort to manage your money can also boost your wellbeing during this time, with the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index finding that greater financial control is associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Angela agrees, saying "the simplest thing you can do is prioritise your expenses. This is the time to go 'Okay, what do I want and what do I need?' If you do that with discipline, you can get your finances to where they need to be right now."

 

 

Bolstering your relationships

 

Strong personal relationships—whether romantic or platonic—play a critical role in our wellbeing, providing us with the security and support that enables us to thrive.

 

But, when we're struggling, it's easy to push away the people that care for us. "What I often hear from people is that they can feel like a burden on those around them," says Georgia. "They might be a bit snappier, which is really common when you're going through something."

 

Both Georgia and Angela emphasise, however, that your loved ones will want to support you. "Put yourself in your loved ones' shoes," says Georgia. "I'm sure if the roles were reversed, you'd be there for them physically and mentally. You'd do everything that you need to do to support them through that tough time."

 

While it may take time to come to terms with your new situation, once "you've let that settle within yourself", Georgia advocates being willing to ask for and accept help from your loved ones. "Although it can be hard to ask for help, there are people who want to help and support you."

 

Angela agrees. "Take the emotional and social support from people. If you have the courage to tell them what's happening, you won't be alone."

 

The final word

 

While the golden triangle can help to protect your wellbeing and help you to thrive, you'll still have tough days—so it's important to be gentle on yourself.

 

"Have some compassion for yourself," says Georgia. "There is the opportunity to recover and to get better, but it does take time. Be kind to yourself and know you can get through it."