Balancing life with a psoriatic disease
Psoriasis is a medical condition that you have – it does not define who you are. While a number of healthcare professionals may be involved in your care, there are also a range of other lifestyle changes that you might be able to do yourself, that lead to better management of your psoriasis.7
Managing stress
Stress is one of the known symptoms to cause a psoriasis flare-up.6 From Mel’s personal experiences of how she copes, to expert coaching techniques from psychologists, we have a wealth of information below to give you useful tips to help manage life stresses and get you through those flare-up periods.
I am ready to share (3:55 minutes)
In her very first video, Get Psorted ambassador Mel talks about how she’s been living with psoriasis since the end of high school, including her very first experience with symptoms.
“I struggled to find something to personally relate to, so I hope sharing my experience can help inspire and encourage other people too.”
Top tips to boost your mood (2:37 minutes)
Here, Russell shares how getting enough fresh air and exercise everyday can help refresh your mind, stress levels and your mood.
“During these times I am always looking at ways to boost my mood...”
Ask the experts: Mel chats to dermatologist Dr Annika Smith (10:42 minutes)
Together, they chat about when to see a dermatologist, the difference between seeing a GP and a specialist, how family history can affect psoriatic disease, how to manage flare-ups and what lifestyle changes can be made.
Ask the experts: Mel with clinical psychologist Dr Candice Lewis – Part 1 (6:58 minutes)
Here, Mel and Candice share a motivating and practical chat for everyone managing psoriasis, covering managing stress and the importance of mental wellbeing, whether it be living with psoriasis or any chronic condition, with some helpful suggestions that are easy to remember.
Ask the experts: Mel with clinical psychologist Dr Candice Lewis – Part 2 (4:36 minutes)
Here, Mel and Candice continue their chat for everyone managing psoriasis.
Ask the experts: Mel with clinical psychologist Dr Candice Lewis – Part 3 (6:16 minutes)
Here, Mel and Candice conclude their chat for everyone managing psoriasis.
Preventing additional skin damage
Scratching, rubbing, cuts and stings are unavoidable. When you’re managing psoriasis it’s even more important to keep an eye out to avoid additional skin damage when you can.6 It’s always helpful to hear from someone going through experiences to pick up any hints that might help you too.
Itchy scalp driving you crazy? (3:16 minutes)
Mel discusses how she deals with an itchy scalp and maintains healthy hair, as well as opening up about what works best for her psoriasis during the summer months and how she manages her condition during the colder months.
Psoriasis and hand sanitiser are not friends (2:26 minutes)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mel checks in to share how she’s coping. Listen to her share her thoughts about maintaining the condition of her skin, hygiene, and the impact of washing her hands during restrictions and lockdowns.
Tracking hidden triggers like mood changes
A flare-up can be triggered by any number of things. Some of these are easier to spot, and some are harder to put our finger on. Spotting those hidden triggers like certain foods, or changes in your mood, can make a big difference in managing psoriatic disease day-to-day.30
Ask the experts: Mel chats to GP Dr Mark Kent (12:06 minutes)
Here, Mel regroups with GP Dr Mark Kent on psoriasis fundamentals – what it is, where you can expect to find it, what causes flare-ups and how to best manage them. A video not to miss!
Ask the experts: Mel chats to dermatologist Dr Annika Smith (10:42 minutes)
Together Mel and Annika chat about when to see a dermatologist, the difference between seeing a GP and a specialist, and how a family history can affect psoriatic disease.
Quitting smoking
Did you know smoking can make psoriasis symptoms even worse?6 Not only does smoking increase the intensity of psoriasis symptoms and flare-ups but it is also connected to heart disease and cancer.7,31 Chat to your healthcare professional about ways that may help you quit smoking to not just improve your psoriasis symptoms but your overall health.
Lowering your alcohol intake
Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to a worsening of symptoms of psoriatic disease and can possibly trigger flare-ups.6,7 Reducing your alcohol intake can also help decrease the risk of liver disease and other negative impacts.23
Staying active
It’s possible to stay active while managing psoriatic disease. Just like with identifying your triggers, staying active is about listening to your body and knowing what works for you. Our ambassadors and experts share a range of advice below about how they get motivated, and importantly recognising that though it can be challenging to maintain consistency with how active we are, it’s worth it!
New Year, New Motivation (2:36 minutes)
Kicking off the new year, Mel shares her difficulties with balancing the management of her psoriasis and daily exercise. She highlights the importance of self-confidence, setting goals and improving health.
Fitness, fatigue and staying motivated – Part 1 (7:18 minutes)
Russell and Psoriasis Australia CEO Murray return with another man-to-man chat, featuring guest Blake.
They discuss fitness, fatigue and staying motivated, as well as how to tackle mental health and COVID-19 restrictions.
Fitness, fatigue and staying motivated – Part 2 (5:32 minutes)
Russell and Psoriasis Australia CEO Murray return with Part 2 of their chat with Blake.
They continue to discuss fitness, fatigue and staying motivated, as well as how to tackle mental health and COVID-19 restrictions.
Fitness, fatigue and staying motivated – Part 3 (7:45 minutes)
Russell and Psoriasis Australia CEO Murray return with Part 3 of their chat with Blake.
They continue to discuss fitness, fatigue and staying motivated, as well as how to tackle mental health and COVID-19 restrictions.
Eating well
With miracle diets, trending food fads and an overwhelming amount of information about what to eat – it can be difficult to know what should go on the end of your fork. Check out the videos below to help cut through the noise with information about what’s worked for our ambassadors, plus expert advice about how to think about food when managing psoriasis.
Work was taking over my life (1:46 minutes)
In this open and honest diary entry, Mel talks about how she has changed her day-to-day working routine to better manage her condition, how her 7-9 working schedule “was taking a real toll on my body” and how she changed the workplace environment to better suit her body.
Why does diet impact my psoriasis? (3:17 minutes)
Mel shares her experiences of going through various diets to manage her psoriasis, including seeing a naturopath, and limiting some types of foods. She shares what worked, what didn’t work and her main takeaways for how to approach eating for psoriasis.
A bloke’s view on diet and exercise (3:41 minutes)
Russell discusses his personal diet triggers and how they impact his psoriasis, and his exhaustive research and search for what works for him.
Ask the experts: Mel chats to dietician Pennie McCoy (11:00 minutes)
Here Mel chats with dietician Pennie McCoy who has been practicing for over 15 years, supporting patients with a wide range of conditions – including psoriasis. Their conversation covers the all too important topic of what to eat and how food can impact psoriasis.
