(HealthDay News) — If you have a chronic illness — such as diabetes, arthritis or heart disease — you can take an active role in managing your health.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these self-management guidelines:
- Examine your unhealthy behaviors, and choose which ones you’d like to change.
- Create specific goals and an action plan for how you’ll reach those goals.
- Create backup plans — for example, what you’ll do for exercise when the weather is bad.
- Feel confident in your ability to reach your goals; if they seem too tough, reconsider your goals.
- Check in frequently with your doctor to discuss your progress and any problems.