Preparing for the October Slide
If you’ve never heard the term before, the October Slide refers to the increase in chronic illness symptoms that many people experience at the change of seasons, especially for folks in the northern hemisphere as we transition from summer to fall. There are barometric pressure changes, an increase in seasonal allergens, and less sunlight, all of which can make chronic illness symptoms worse.
If you feel worse in the fall this is probably at least partially why!
I have always felt worse at the turn of the season and every year it surprises me. It’s almost as if my bodymind is protecting itself by forgetting what’s coming, but it’s so hard when the symptoms are suddenly worse. This year, I am taking a different approach with myself and offering to you, facing it head on.
We are living through traumatic and violent times. Between the ongoing genocides in Gaza, Congo and Sudan, the devastating destruction of Hurricane Helene in the SE United States and the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, to name a few, our bodyminds are stretched.
Now more than ever it’s important to fall into community rather than despair. Here are some ways to consider the October Slide through a community care lens.
Who is in your care community?
As chronically ill people, we rely on and thrive in interdependence.
Who are the people in your life who you rely on for care?
Who do you extend care to?
With both of these groups, have you had explicit conversations about the care you’re able to provide each other? This can provide comfort and ease in moments of need. For me this looks like making plans to trade weekly dinners with pals in COVID safe ways, knowing who I can call on and be called on during times of acute illness and how we can share more routine care tasks like trips to the pharmacy.
What physical tools and resources support you?
When you’re doing especially poorly, it can be challenging to remember what you have access to.
What tools do you use to help you find more ease when you’re in a flare?
Do you currently have access to all of them? If anything is broken or you’re out of it now is a good time to replenish.
Where can you look for all of these things? Whether you have a list or a central location, making them easy to access is critical.
I’m not always good at taking stock of the physical tools I have access to, but I have had clients who have had success using a note on their phone, one central place they can look for lists of things that help them with different symptoms and I am trying that this month!
What do you need from your medical providers?
There are some resources, like medication, testing and diagnoses that only doctors can provide.
Are you up to date on all prescribed medication?
Do you have any new or worsening symptoms that you need professional support to move through?
If this is the case, write down what you need in one place that you can reference in an appointment. If you’re on multiple medications, some pharmacies offer a service where they will give you partial doses once to get all of your medication on the same schedule which can be super helpful! You can call the admin office and ask about that if you have the energy.
What do you need from your wider community?
In addition to the people you are more intimately giving and receiving care with, how do you want to communicate what you need to your larger community? These are not your innermost circle but still people who you want to see and be in relationship with.
What helps you stay connected to community?
What can people do to ensure that you remain a loved, needed, missed part of your community even when you’re not doing well?
What is the best way to tell folks these things?
You deserve to be in community with other people, however that needs to look to meet your access needs.
What other support do you need?
If reading this felt at all stressful or overwhelming, I am here for you. You can click the link in the upper right corner to schedule a conversation with me and I would love to help you come up with a care plan that meets your needs.
However you get there, I hope that October is as easeful as possible for you!
