Steps to lower stress when your child has a chronic illness

If you're the parent of a child with a chronic illness, feelings of stress and sorrow are natural. Especially when you add in the pressures of providing emotional support for the whole family and trying to manage the rest of your life.

Finding ways to relieve stress and savor the good times is important. And many families find new strength, compassion and closeness in challenging times. But it takes time to build that resilience.

Here's what has helped other parents of children with chronic illness.

Find the right doctor. This is a long-term relationship. It's OK to explore your options. Finding a doctor who is sensitive, respectful and takes the time to talk things through with you can take away some of the strain.

Keep family routines. Not everything has to change at once. Share a meal, a game night or even a walk around the block as a family once a week. Over time these activities can make life feel more stable and shared moments more meaningful.

Put down the research. Being informed helps you meet your child's needs. But there's a tipping point where too much research becomes damaging. Once you know the important stuff for parenting, try letting go of knowing it all.

Make time for exercise. Getting your steps in is a known health booster. While dealing with a child's illness you might need more reminders to keep your body moving.

In one study of parents of kids with cancer, wearing pedometers with the goal of 10,000 steps a day took family stress levels down.

Look at the family picture. Every family member needs support, including you. And families that keep illness in perspective with other family needs have better relationships. Make sure everyone has the space to recharge and express themselves.

Seek out support. Research shows that parents who don't go it alone do better. Try finding one or two people you can approach to ask for support. If you're feeling overwhelmed, look toward family therapy or a support group.