This week on Calling in Sick, Cheryl Crow is back and we are getting into the most practical, OT-approved, chronic illness tested life hacks I have ever covered on this podcast. You’re going to want to save these tips!!!
We're diving into:
🌅 How to Have Gentler Mornings — the bedside toolbox every chronic illness patient needs, why "motion is lotion" for inflammatory arthritis, the roll-on topical hack that saves your hands, and the compression wear nuance nobody talks about
😴 Sleep strategies that actually work — the bedroom environment audit, sleep accessories worth investing in (Nod Pod, Sleep Crown), how to break the insomnia cycle by detaching from sleep pressure, and the separate beds conversation
⚡ Energy conservation done right — why strength training counterintuitively builds long-term energy reserves for inflammatory arthritis patients, circadian rhythm scheduling, the high spoon vs. low spoon to-do list system, the 80% rule, and how to request workplace accommodations without burning bridges
These are the tools Cheryl uses with her own patients and the ones I wish someone had handed me 25 years ago.
🤍 xx, Alex
💬 Comment: What is your number one morning hack that makes chronic illness life more manageable?
TIMESTAMPS
Intro:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!
Gentler Mornings & Pain Relief:
00:00:28 Bedside Tool Box & Pain Management Accommodations
00:02:05 Joint Lubrication & "Motion is Lotion"
00:03:38 CBD, Menthol & Roll-on Topicals
00:04:35 Compression Wear: Benefits & When to Avoid It Sleep
Strategies & Mindset:
00:07:16 Optimizing Your Sleep Environment Audit
00:08:41 Relaxation Routines & Sleep Accessories (Nod Pod, Sleep Crown)
00:10:08 Shifting Sleep Mindsets & Managing Insomnia
00:12:18 Sleeping in Separate Beds for Better Rest
Energy Management & Conservation:
00:15:30 Exercise & Strength Training for Chronic Fatigue
00:18:01 Circadian Rhythm Scheduling & Pacing
00:19:56 High Spoon vs. Low Spoon To-Do Lists
00:21:55 The 80% Rule & Requesting Workplace Accommodations
Conclusion:
00:24:25 Connecting with Cheryl Crow & Arthritis Life
00:25:33 Thank you for listening!
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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568
• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?
Connect with our guest, Cheryl Crow:
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arthritis_life_cheryl/
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritislife
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/arthritislife
• Website - https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/about-cheryl/
Episode Resources
• Kate Bowler, “No Cure for Being Human” - https://link.amazon/B07znkSfA
• Kate Bowler, “Everything Happens for a Reason, and Other Lies I’ve Loved” - https://link.amazon/B0246dY3H
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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/
#ChronicIllnessHacks #OccupationalTherapy #ArthritisLife #CherylCrow #RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicFatigue #SpoonTheory #EnergyConservation #ChronicPain #SleepHacks #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #MorningRoutine #AutoimmuneDisease #PacingChronicIllness #HighSpoonLowSpoon #ChronicIllnessTips #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson
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