It's so easy to feel frustrated when you have a chronic illness.

Even the simplest tasks can feel impossible, and it's very easy to be critical of yourself and lose self-esteem. But what if you could view your illness as a learning experience instead? What if you could see it as an opportunity for growth?

For the growth of kindness towards yourself.

Here are 5 ways to reframe your experience with kindness, so you can heal:

Reframe #1: You don't have a lack of willpower, and you're not weak. Give yourself a pat on the back just for surviving. You're still here, holding on, and that is an incredible achievement.

Reframe #2: You are still making progress. Today, that progress may look like: drinking enough water, or allowing yourself to rest. You are learning to take care of yourself. That itself is progress.

Reframe #3: Your exercise for the day can be deep breathing. It doesn't have to be anything strenuous. Deep breathing will still shift your nervous system profoundly, and in a positive direction. You can even practice it while lying down, if you like. It still counts.

Reframe #4: Your illness isn't something you need to conquer, and fighting it will only drain precious resources. Focus instead on allowing. Allow yourself to rest. Allow others to take care of you. Allow yourself to be loved as you are.

Reframe #5: Your words to yourself matter very much. Being critical of yourself will not help you to heal. Talk to yourself as you would to a dear friend. Remind yourself that you're doing your best, that it's OK to rest, and that you are valuable, whole and worthy, just as you are.

Having a chronic illness is tough. But being tough on yourself is likely part of the reason you got here.

Now is the time to learn softness. Your body needs you to be kind.