This month at Peer Health, we’re celebrating our support systems; our friends and family members who support us through our chronic illnesses. On our good and bad days, your crew is there when no one else seems to be. A simple thank you can mean the world to someone, and our campaign, #MyPHCrew, is the best way to do that!

If you haven’t already, tag your crew in a comment on our #MyPHCrew Facebook posts or, for the ultimate thank you, upload a photo of you with your crew and use the hashtag #MyPHCrew.

Support can be expressed in many ways, from watching a movie together after a long day or having an impromptu dance party. We’ve rounded up our ten favorite things a crew can do for their loved one struggling with a chronic illness:

1. Getting up each morning with a chronic illness is tough. If someone is having trouble, be their alarm clock! Wake them up in the morning with their favorite cup of tea, or send in their dog for a morning hello.

1. Living with Gout often means living with strict dietary restrictions. In order to avoid joint attacks, they should avoid alcohol. The solution? Throw a virgin cocktail party together!

1. Administering insulin shots each day is tedious. Congratulating a diabetes patient with a funny GIF is a great way to make it a bit more bearable. Set your timer and start searching for some funny GIFs.

1. Madeleine has spoken before on our blog about herxs, you can check out her blog post Herxing with the Rock. Know someone who suffers from herxes? She recommends helping them wash their hair.

1. Chronic pain can often leave someone laying in bed all day. Surprise them with a bottle of oil and a foot and leg massage.

1. Someone who lives with diabetes may not want to give up all of their favorite foods. Give them a helping hand by throwing away all of the cheez-its, bacon and whole milk, and replacing them with diabetes-approved goodies.

1. On a really bad day, it’s not uncommon to stay home. If your friend cancels dinner, send them a picture saying you understand! Maybe bring them some dessert afterwards.

1. Self-control is hard for anyone, especially if you have diabetes and have to give up a lot of your favorite foods. Check-in with your favorite diabetes patient, and remind them to put down the cookie.

1. We firmly believe that homemade chocolate chip cookies can solve any problem. Turn any day around, and bake some cookies together! Be sure not to eat too much cookie dough 😊

1. My favorite memories with my best friend include us bundled up on the couch together, watching our favorite movies. Break out your softest pajamas, and settle down for a Bridget Jones marathon.

The best way to support a chronic illness sufferer is just by being there. A silly joke or a long hug can help them forget, even if only for a moment.

Peer Health can connect you with a personalized peer community to share provider recommendations, treatment options, and define your best life. The Peer Health community is coming soon and we want you to be the first to know. Sign up for our newsletter today.