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If you live with a chronic illness, you already know that when things are good, they’re really good. But when things are bad, sometimes even getting out of bed seems impossible. Getting showered, dressed, and driving to the office for a full day’s worth of work is entirely out of the question.
For that reason alone, many of those living with anything from chronic pain to heart disease seek out opportunities for remote work that will give them some flexibility in their day-to-day workload. Something that allows them to take on more on those good days but not feel so stressed when things aren’t so good.
This post will not only give you a few tips to making life as a remote employee a little easier but also explore a few opportunities that may be a good fit for those living with chronic disease.
Tips to Working From Home with a Chronic Illness
Work With Your Illness
No one likely knows your chronic condition better than you. Think carefully about the time of day you are able to be most productive. Consider your triggers.
When looking for a remote job, try to find those job descriptions that most closely match your needs. If you go into the battle fighting against your illness, you are setting yourself up for a quick failure. You may not be able to check all of the boxes, but at least have a clear idea of what you are looking for.
It’s important to consider your mental health as well. Focus on weekly or monthly goals instead of trying to dictate each day in advance. This will help eliminate stress and guilt on those days you lack the focus or energy to complete that to-do list.
Dedicated Workspace
One of the main pain points for many remote workers is the lack of boundaries where you are now living and working. If stress can be a trigger for your chronic health condition, this is something you need to be cognizant of from the beginning.
While you may not be able to eliminate the feeling of never being able to truly get away from work, simple techniques that create a sense of dedicated workspace can help. Work at a desk instead of the kitchen table. If you have to work in a shared space, put up an inexpensive room divider or screen. Establish work hours.
Ergonomic Workspace
Working from bed may sound great, but it’s a bad idea. Having an ergonomic workstation is not only going to help eliminate potential pain triggers, but it may also help those that suffer from chronic fatigue. Things like lighting, eye strain, and even poor posture can cause fatigue.
You may not be able to invest in a top-of-the-line ergonomic chair at this point, but you can make sure your chair height, keyboard, mouse, and monitor are all in proper alignment to reduce strain. Switch out fluorescent lights for a lightbulb that’s more yellow-tone.
Schedule a Break
Inactivity is not suitable for anyone. That includes those with a chronic illness. It’s so important to stretch and move.
Make time in your schedule to take a walk and get some fresh air. Set a timer throughout the day to ensure you are getting up from your desk to stretch your legs, arms and neck.
Have a Plan
There will be days your symptoms flare up, making even the smallest tasks seem impossible. Having a plan in place for these events will help you weather the storms much better. Are there things you can schedule in advance? Is there work you can do ahead of time? Will you need to communicate with clients or customers? You can’t plan for everything, but consider your fallback options for the unexpected.
Job Opportunities with Flexibility
The key to successfully finding a remote job that accommodates your chronic illness is to seek out flexibility. An employee position may come with a strict schedule that doesn’t take into account those days you are experiencing a flare and unable to perform up to par. Even an employer with the best sick leave policy around doesn’t often meet the needs of a remote worker with multiple chronic illnesses.
A 1099 position on the other hand typically offers more flexibility. You may be able to do your work whenever works for you as long as you meet your deadlines. Perhaps you can even work ahead in preparation for those unexpected storms. Try to avoid any undue hardship where you can.
A few popular job options for those with chronic illnesses include:
- Freelance Writer
- Bookkeeper
- Proofreader
- Transcriptionist
Other Online Entrepreneur Opportunities
There are hundreds of other ideas you could explore. Again, the key to success is being honest about your triggers and what you can physically and emotionally handle. Every chronic illness and individual is different. There is no one size fits all approach.
For example, someone with chronic migraines may thrive with the flexibility online reselling offers. Someone living in chronic pain may find the stress and physical demands of sourcing, photographing, packing and shipping are too much. Some people find creating homemade items their ticket to success, while someone with severe arthritis may not find that career path appealing at all. You may need to dip your foot into a few pools before you find the right fit.
Above all else, be true to yourself and seek help if you need it. There are some great resources out there for those chronic disease looking for remote work:
- Ticket to Work
- My Employment Options
- ciCoach
- Cancer + Careers
- Chronically Capable
Don’t lose hope. It may take a while to find the perfect fit, but I hope this post inspires you to keep trying.
