After Jenny Cornelia A. Nyborg became chronically ill with ME, self-care has been given its own place in her schedule. Infrared sauna has become part of her health journey.
– If there's one thing I've learned, it's that health must always come first. When I really want to treat myself, I do a session in an infrared IR Sauna Blanket Breeze or IR SaunaPod Active. I've grown so fond of them! Infrared saunas heat deeply, which a hot bath doesn't. My recipe for success is therefore to have a sauna followed by a warm bath with Epsom salts.
She laughs, before continuing.
– For my part, I notice a big difference before and after I've used the sauna. Especially in winter. I live in a very cold place. I don't know what winter would have been like for me if I hadn't had the opportunity to warm my body right down to the bone. In addition, it feels like I've been to a spa and had a really good skincare treatment. My skin becomes silky smooth.
Jenny alternates between her sit-up sauna and IR Sauna Blanket Breeze.
– I can get a bit dizzy if I sit in the heat for too long. That hasn't been a problem in the IR Sauna Blanket Breeze. With the sit-up sauna, the advantage is that I can sit in the living room with my fiancé, Håkon, and watch a series, while my body gets proper care. The advantage of the infrared sauna blanket is that I can lie down and truly have "me-time" without interruptions.
She explains that the wellness aspect of the whole experience is better in the sauna blanket because she becomes more aware of the moment.
– I'm a fan of meditation and relaxation techniques. I usually practice them lying down; a great combination.
Severe ME
Ten years ago, Jenny experienced a complete turnaround in her life. She was 19 years old and a nursing student. She exercised, took care of herself, was a good friend and girlfriend.
– Everyday life was fantastic. I felt free and I liked who I was as a person. Serious illness was not new to her.
– Mom got breast cancer when I was 12. She never recovered. That's why I wanted to become a nurse. It seemed so good to help people in vulnerable phases of life. After contracting glandular fever, she first experienced improvement, but then a worsening a year later.
– The doctor recommended I continue as before. I pushed a body that needed rest, and drove my health into the ground. She was eventually diagnosed with a severe degree of ME.
Identity crisis
The illness led Jenny into an identity crisis. For who was she when she couldn't laugh or speak as before? Who was she when she couldn't be the friend she used to be? Who was the nursing student who found herself on the wrong side of the hospital bed?
– My everyday life consisted of going to the toilet, going to the sofa, and eating. Everything I identified with was stripped away. I felt like an empty shell without personality, drive, or life skills.
Jenny remembered so well who she used to be. She wasn't perfect, but she certainly wasn't a withered shell of a life.
– That's how it felt. Illness is not voluntary. I was forced to adapt to new rules of the game that were difficult to comply with. When I realized I was facing an identity crisis, I decided to find new things to identify with.
Sauna and ME
Infrared heat therapy has become part of her health journey.
– I have tried an awful lot since I got sick, as many with ME do. The sauna is perhaps what has made the biggest difference in symptom relief for me, she says, emphasizing that she can only speak from her own experience and what she has heard from others with ME who also use a sauna. For Jenny, it is pain-relieving, as circulation improves, and stiff muscles loosen up.
– Absolutely magical. I feel like the brain fog lifts, as long as I don't overdo how long I stay in. Now that I am significantly better, I feel more refreshed afterward, but people with ME should always be careful. Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a huge problem in this patient group, and the degree of the illness affects what one can tolerate and what not.
– There is a lot to consider with ME, such as post-exertional malaise. It is important to get good information and listen to your own body. Not everyone tolerates heat equally well, but those who do can truly benefit from an infrared sauna. To begin with, I didn't sit for more than ten minutes to find out how my body reacted. Now I am much better, and can easily have 30 minutes in the sit-up sauna or 40 minutes in the sauna blanket.
One thing she believes ME sufferers should note is the importance of drinking enough, before, during, and after.
– I was often dehydrated when my health was worse, even though I drank a lot of water. That's why I took extra steps. I bought effervescent tablets at the pharmacy, Resorb Sport and Original, which I used to ensure a good fluid balance. The sport version on sauna days and the original version on other days. Sweat flows when you take a sauna, she smiles.
Increased quality of life
By being open on social media, Jenny helps others in vulnerable phases of life to an increased quality of life.
– I want to be a solution to the lack of services for the chronically ill. Being chronically ill has ripple effects far beyond the illness itself. Many don't even dare to tell their loved ones they are sick. Openness is needed. She doesn't take everyday life with progression and improvement for granted.
– Now I'm sharing the crazy journey, where I can actually leave the house without getting sicker from it. Ironically, I had gotten a wheelchair and a power chair to get out more. Health is more than a healthy body.
– Everyone needs to prioritize things in life that make them happy, and chronically ill people have the same need for well-being as everyone else. There's a lot you can do to increase your quality of life.
She herself doesn't say no to a cup of turmeric milk, some chocolate, a heated blanket, or a good series on Netflix.
– Preferably in Håkon's arms. I love spending time with him.
If you want to follow Jenny on her continued health journey, check out her blog or Instagram
