Pamper yourself and maybe ease the pain
February 4, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
We know that stress doesn’t usually cause chronic pain, but we also know that stress can make chronic pain worse. Unfortunately, we live in a society that is full of stress and – quite honestly – a good bit of that stress is self-induced. We also live in a society where it’s valued to answer “Busy!” when asked, “how are you?”
It’s important for all people to slow down but it’s particularly important for those who have chronic pain to slow down. Keeping busy may take your mind off the pain for a while, but there’s a big difference between keeping busy with stress-related things and keeping busy with things that relax you.
Personally, I like to quilt. Ok, make that, I am obsessed with quilting. But, one thing I noticed is that since I’ve slacked off on my quilting and began to work more, my pain level has increased. Whether it’s the relaxation of quilting (I hand quilt), the creativity that goes into the design, or the fun of choosing the colors and all that, I don’t know. But, maybe the message is, it’s time to get back to my quilts. If you like quilts and would like to see a few of them, I posted a few pictures that you can access through this page: Marijke’s Quilts.
If you like to read about quilting, fellow b5Media blogger Mary Ellen Allen has a blog here called Quilting and Patchwork. If you go over there, you’ll find lots of interesting reading about quilting.
Your activity doesn’t have to be as intricate as quilting, it can be taking a walk every day, talking on the phone with an dear friend, watching a favorite television show – anything that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the world around you.
By taking some time for yourself, you can regenerate yourself and make yourself stronger, better able to cope with the issues that threaten to bring you down.
I’d love to revisit this in future posts, so to help me: what types of things do you like to do to relax and pamper yourself?
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Technorati Tags: ease the pain,pamper yourself
I destress with exercise–usually about 5 times per week. If I have back-to-back days where I don’t get exercise, I start wondering why I feel cranky, blah, tired, etc. Then in dawns on me! I need to get those endorphines (sp?) going!
Hi Lisa,
I know that many people destress through exercise. It’s a healthy way to go, that’s for sure.
I’ve been trying hard to de-stress. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (very happy to see today’s article on Rheumatoid Arthritis!). I work full time and am currently going through a court process that is becoming costly and lengthy, adding even more stress. My problem is simply finding the time to do something for ME.
To answer your question “what types of things do you like to do to relax and pamper yourself?”
Sometimes I will have a nice hot bath with lots of soapy bubbles, and just read a book or magazine, or simply close my eyes and try to shut out the events that are causing me stress, even if just for 30 minutes.
I think my next step will be to join a tai chi class. This way I can get a bit of exercise that won’t harm my RA, but also learn techiniques of letting my thoughts flow elsewhere.
I look forward to future articles, as different levels of pain are a daily occurance for me, depending on whether my RA has flared or not.
I always have the most trouble when I am stressed the most– and put aside the things that I enjoy and that help me to relax. I’ve done that so much this year, that on top of already having some health troubles, it’s culminated into simply being more than I can handle. I need now to step back, and take some time for myself as well as for my work. To relax, I like to exercise, walk the pups, photograph my orchids, draw/paint, sew, read, and garden. None of which I’ve done for months. I think this weekend I’ll make a point of doing something relaxing and pampering myself. The work can wait.
Thanks, Marijke, for calling attention to Quilting and Patchwork. I’ve found that hand quilting, too, can be relaxing. I like to walk and to read mysteries when stressed. I even walk with a book in my hand…much to the amusement of my neighbors and family.
Karen, I’ve thought about tai chi. If you do it, could you come back and tell us about it?
Rachel, I hope you do take that time. We all deserve it.