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Cheat Days

Like someone on a diet taking a day off to eat junk food, I call the times I go without compression “cheat days.” 


Perhaps it is just a couple hours out of the house where I want to wear a specific outfit without my compression. Or maybe it is just a one-day break from the time consuming and exhausting daily management of my lymphedema. Whatever the reason, it can be healthy for your emotional well-being to take a day off from compression every once in a while. 


However, it is very important to note that you should have confidence in your control of the situation before taking a cheat day. Try to resist the urges to go without compression if it will hurt you in the long-run. I have a pretty good feel for my limits when it comes to my swelling. I know that I can use lymphedema management techniques to return to my baseline size after a few hours up and about compression-free, or the span of the day if it’s particularly low-key. 


Additionally, for every cheat day you take, I recommend trying to counteract it with a lymph self-care day where you put in more effort than normal to manage your lymphedema. For me, this typically involves techniques I don't usually have the time for, such as self-massaging, dry brushing, and elevation.


Constantly having to treat a chronic illness such as lymphedema can definitely be draining. If you are able, taking a brief break every once in a while can give a much-needed sense of normalcy and relief, and is nothing to feel guilty about.


Picture from Summer 2020: My outfit on a recent "cheat day"


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