Stress reduction tips
Macular degeneration can be stressful - from a new diagnosis to eye injection anxiety. Does anyone have tips for reducing stress when worried about vision loss? Do you find that when you feel stressed, it affects your eyesight? If so, how do you manage that?
I try to focus on the positives in my life. It also helps me to read the inspiring stories our community members share about life after loss of central vision. Sharon Moore Advocate
thanks for sharing this great tip! I'll definitely try to incorporate it more into my own life! - Sonia, MacularDegeneration.net Team Member
I try to stop worrying and get organized so that I can have strategies in place to cope in the future if needed. I took my first Uber ride recently and I went to the movies and used audio description. Both worked brilliantly! Wendy, Advocate. I agree with you. Making plans and having strategies in place gives me a sense of control. Sharon Moore Advocate I'm so glad to hear that your plans are proving to be so successful! Your article on audio descriptions at the theater was also super helpful. Thanks so much for sharing these useful tips! - Sonia, MacularDegeneration.net Team Member
I do a couple of things to relieve my anxiety I do a controlled breathing exercise one I learned on the app HeadSpace, it has been a big help to me. I also tell my voices to bring me a better thought, with practice I have gotten quite good at this. I learned how to do this a few years ago from the book "Solve for Happy" For me it works. I also have some other breathing techniques from over the years that help quite a lot. I do meditate, sometimes a few minutes hear and there and that helps as well as a long meditation. I practice gratitude, I get outside and I play music. I distract myself by listening to audio books, or read. I do various things of course not all at the same time. I need an arsenal some days to survive all that goes on.
Your tips for handling the stress of living with MD are so helpful. I learned to use breathing exercises when I had panic attacks. It really helps calm me. Blessings, Sharon Moore Advocate
Not allowing macular degeneration to rob you of your joy can be challenging. What helps me a lot is my daily meditation practice. I love the guided meditations from Calm.com and there are many free apps that can be accessed. Keeping positive is so important with an AMD diagnosis. Linda Hoopes, Team Member
