Who (and what) influences your health?
5. Find (or start) a support group
When you’re diagnosed with a disease or illness, it’s natural to want to talk to others who know firsthand what you’re going through. Find in-person or online groups where you can go for resources and been-there-done-that advice. King and several fellow breast cancer survivors formed their own support group; they get together regularly to socialize (and commiserate) and to host events that raise research funds. They also travel around the country to participate in Susan G. Komen 3-Day walks.
Even when you’re not sick, being part of a group can be a powerful health influencer. Fitness and exercise groups, mommy-and-me classes and community health seminars can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Sometimes there’s no better way to heal than talking with others who have been through similar experiences and who can tell you about their successes, failures and own helpful resources. Online groups make this type of support accessible for more people.
The group setting, whether in person or online, may be uncomfortable for some people; personalities of group members may clash, diminishing the quality of the support.