For residents of Houston, Texas, who are living with kidney failure, dialysis offers a way to remove waste products and excess fluids from your blood. But it isn’t often something to look forward to. The team of kidney health specialists at Renal Clinic of Houston is happy to offer the following tips to help make your dialysis treatments more enjoyable.
If you dread your dialysis treatments, one of the best places to begin is by making a concerted effort to reframe the experience. One way to think about dialysis is that it’s a process that you have to do to bolster your health.
Another way to think about dialysis is that it delivers the opportunity to continue enjoying the things you love most about your life. Dialysis can help you feel more energized and rested. It can also be rewarding to know that you are taking steps to help your body feel and function better.
You may not be able to change the circumstances that led you to need dialysis, but you can absolutely work on changing the way you approach the experience. Embracing a positive mindset can help you find ways to enjoy your dialysis treatments.
Taking some time to get ready for your dialysis treatments can go a long way toward enhancing your experience. Dialysis requires you to sit still for an extended period of time, so why not make this a time to focus on yourself and what you need at this specific point in time?
If you’re a movie or television lover, consider saving a new release or show until your treatment. If you aren’t having dialysis at home, you can download or stream on a tablet or laptop (watching on a cell phone is often more frustrating than enjoyable).
Readers can find similar enjoyment by saving a recently published novel for treatment day. You can also research lists of the best books of the year in your preferred genre, or perhaps set a goal of reading everything from a favorite author or a group of classics.
Podcasts are yet another way that technology can enhance your dialysis experience. Whether you’re catching up on a favorite or trying a podcast everyone’s been talking about, time can move faster when you’re distracted and engaged.
For some people on dialysis, kidney failure feels like the end of so many things. If you find yourself feeling down or making lists of all the things that aren’t the same after your diagnosis, consider making your treatment times an appointment with future happiness.
Use this time to plan something that brings you joy. Maybe there’s a trip you’ve been waiting to take or a family visit you’re looking forward to. You can while away the hours with trip planning, including researching the best places to visit, stay, and where to dine.
If you have family coming, research some easy and delicious recipes that will please the crowd. You can also look for new games to play that will keep everyone smiling.
Planning is an easy way to focus on the future and to shape your upcoming experiences in a way that delivers optimal joy. There are also plenty of practical reasons to set aside some planning time since it’s easy to overlook details when you’re rushed.
If you’re concerned about how dialysis could change your routines, the team at Renal Clinic of Houston is happy to provide all the information you need. Simply schedule a visit online or call the office to set up an appointment.
