Kristen Harris shares an important Lyme Hack: patience and pacing are essential for healing, and pushing too hard can slow your recovery.
- Practice Patience With Yourself
- Healing from chronic Lyme disease often takes time.
- Progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
- Being patient with yourself reduces stress and frustration.
- Avoid Overexertion
- Trying to maintain your pre-illness pace can backfire.
- Overdoing it can worsen symptoms and delay healing.
- Listening to your body is key to sustainable recovery.
- Use Mental Reset Techniques
- Intrusive thoughts and pressure can be overwhelming.
- Visualizing a peaceful place or memory can calm the mind.
- Simple meditation techniques can help you reset during difficult moments.
Kristen’s message is a reminder that healing requires both physical and mental balance—giving yourself grace and slowing down can help you move forward more effectively.
“Patience and kindness to yourself are essential—don’t overdo it.” – Kristen Harris
Watch Video:
This 2026 Lyme Hack was recorded during Tick Boot Camp’s coverage of the inaugural Stories That Heal: Author Series, where leaders, patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates came together to advance awareness, education, and hope for the Lyme disease community.
Video Transcript:
Matt Sabatello, Co-Founder of Tick Boot Camp: We’re here for another in-person Lyme Hackathon for Lyme Disease Awareness Month. I’m here with our friend Kristen Harris, who was on our podcast many years ago and has since become a huge advocate in the Lyme community representing Global Lyme Alliance. So, Kristen, if you can give us your top Lyme hack for 2026—one thing you’d recommend people do to help overcome chronic Lyme disease?
Kristen Harris: I would say patience with yourself. It can be a long road, and you always have to be patient and not overdo it. When I was going through my treatment, I always tried to keep doing everything I had always done, and it didn’t turn out well. So: patience and kindness to yourself.
Matt: That’s easier said than done. Let me push you a little bit on this, because how many times do I tell myself to be patient and show grace, only for those intrusive thoughts to come in? “I have to do more,” “I have to show my worth,” or “I have to be able to go and do things.” What are some tips for when those thoughts come in—things you can do to help clear your mind so you aren’t overwhelmed by that mental burden?
Kristen: I would say think about a favorite place you’ve been or a happy memory. Sometimes I do a meditation where I think of a beach I visited that brought me such peace. I tell myself, “I will be there once again.” It just kind of gets me through the initial panic.
Matt: That was excellent. Thank you so much for being a part of this Lyme Hackathon for 2026.
Kristen: Thank you, Matt.
Explore more expert insights from our Lyme Hackathon series and discover how healing is possible with the right knowledge, support, and approach on our Lyme Hackathon page.
