If you’re living with chronic pain, or you know someone who does, I hope this post will help you. These are the methods I use to try and make a bad pain day better.
Drink a cup of Green, White or Herbal Tea. There are herbs that can help you with pain, but I won’t recommend any since I don’t know what pain you’re in and what meds you’re on.
Take a long, hot bath (this one I can’t do anymore since I no longer have a bathtub). A hot bath relaxs both body and mind.
Curl up under a blanket and read a really thick, good book. Can’t beat escaping for a couple of hours. Meditate! There are meditations that make you relax, but there are also pain specific meditations that can actually ease your pain. Do something creative. Whether you paint, sew or carve, being creative improves your energy.
Sleep! Make sure you get enough of it. If you wake up during the night because of the pain, get a nap during the day.
Cuddle the nearest animal or human. Science has proven that cuddling releases hormones that improve your mood.
Exercise! Yes, I know exercise can be painful, but try to find a form that isn’t.It makes your stiff muscles loosen, lubricates your joints and releases endorphins which make you feel less of the pain.
Do you have any favorite ways to improve a bad day?
Leave me a comment.
Great tips! I have trouble getting into and out of bathtubs (*sob*) so I’ve learned hot showers work pretty well too. For fibro and muscular pain, I like to do the hot bath thing, put on moisturizer, air dry a moment, and then rub in some Tiger Balm while my skin’s still warm and damp. The moisture and heat help the balm sink in really well. This *might* be too much for some folks – if you have sensitive skin, it can be so intense as to be painful, I’ve heard, so caution should be exercised with this approach.
Very good tips you’ve got there 🙂 I can still get in and out of one, but I can’t clean them without major pain. I’m undiagnosed as far as the overall joint issues and muscle pain, but I’m glad they’ve ruled out Fibro.
I have a brother and a niece who live with chronic pain from accidents. My brother sleeps, has epidurals and pain pills. My niece was never expected to walk again…at the age of 12! She relies on God and joy, she is a senior now, she walks and enjoys all the things the other kids do…though she does live with chronic pain…her pelvis was crushed when she was thrown from an ATV and then run over. I admire them both. My problems are just plain old life problems that can be cured by hugs from my granddaughter!
Great blog!
Thanks. That she’s able to do that is truly admirable.
My favorite way is to meditate outside or a long hot candle lit, incense burning bath (but that’s usually in the winter). 🙂
Those sound good too 🙂 I find it hard to meditate outside here though, unless I go further up the mountain, because of the traffic noise from the higway.
I’ve lived with pain for only short periods in my life and I found it so debilitating that I have the greatest admiration for anyone who manages to handle chronic pain and still live a meaningful life. It just goes to show what the human spirit is capable of!
While I have no personal experience, I have a(nother) friend who is paralysed from the waist down and in a wheelchair, and has lived with chronic pain for the longest time. She finds acupuncture really helpful. I suppose this really depends on the type of pain but it might be worth a try.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve tried acupuncture twice, but for allergic reactions, not pain. If I find someone using needles, I’ll give it a go.
My Dear Hubby has Chronic Fatigue and I have arthritis, and our favorite ways of making a bad pain day better are massage and listening to relaxing music. I don’t know how I learned this but over the years, I learned massage with both my hands and feet, and even when the pain isn’t muscular, sometimes just being touched by someone really helps! For me–the music is what relaxes me. I’m not saying it has to be all “classical” or even celtic 😛 but if the music is something that brings joy to your heart that you enjoy–it can really decrease the pain as you focus on enjoying the instruments, the singer or the lyrics.
Sounds lovely 🙂
I love your suggestions. Today I am dealing with right heal pain which is a drag because it makes movement challenging. I do find arnica montana helps in the morning. So, today I am trying the meditation and creative suggestions. First, though, the lighter movements of watering my garden and planting a new lavendar plant. Thanks for this great article that makes a tough subject manageable.
I’m glad you liked it. I hope your day improves. Gardening is very soothing to me. Well, not weeding though 🙂