When pain rules everyday life
If you are in a lot of pain, you should not only move - you usually should! Because regular exercise of any kind supports body and soul. Strong muscles are a proven remedy for pain. Not only can it help relieve chronic pain, but it can also help break the vicious cycle of pain and tension. The important thing is that you enjoy the exercise. Start simple and find a form of exercise that suits you. Feel free to ask your doctor which types of exercise are right for you.
2. Get Inspired
In addition to physical fitness, mental fitness can also help you manage chronic pain. Living a full life can provide your brain with diverse input. Change your routines or learn a new language, play an instrument or read entertaining stories. Get inspired by new things to distract yourself from pain.
3. Maintain Social Contacts
Relationships with other people are very important, because loneliness not only hurts mentally, but also harms your health. Keep in touch with family members, friends and acquaintances. For example, arrange to go for a walk or a coffee. Or meet like-minded people at a hobby. Here you can find a way out of isolation.
4. Go out into nature
Just a few minutes in nature is enough to make your heart beat measurably slower, your blood pressure drop and your muscles relax. Above all, a walk through the forest lets you breathe deeply and is like balm for the soul. Moving around in nature not only lifts your self-esteem and mood, but also reduces stress and has a positive effect on your perception of pain.
5. Make Time for hobbies
Make time for activities you enjoy and enjoy the distraction! Try new things, learn something new, or just make more time for your favorite activities: listening to good music, painting, traveling, or even going fishing. All of these can help you better manage pain.
6. Provide balance
Both too much stress and boredom can promote pain. Therefore, keep the right balance between work, hobbies and family and make sure you get enough relaxation and rest. Listen to your body! Challenge the body without overtaxing it at the same time.
7. Keep a happiness diary
Every evening, write down three things that made you happy that day. Things that went well, that you enjoyed, or that you are grateful for. Also write down what you contributed to those moments of happiness. This focuses your mind on the positive things in life and also makes you feel better at the same time.
8. Accept support
Chronic pain can be very stressful. You don't have to shoulder it alone. And there's nothing wrong with seeking help and support from family or friends.
9. Observe and reward yourself
As the saying goes. Successes are meant to be celebrated, and rightly so. A success is when you manage to ease the pain and figure out what makes you feel good. Then give yourself a little reward and celebrate your success!
10. Don't let setbacks get you down
There will always be good days, but there may be worse days. Try to mentally prepare yourself for them. Be patient and don't get discouraged. Rather, see the setback as an opportunity to ask yourself what you can do differently next time. Then you can better prepare yourself for it or seek help or distraction in time.