Today's post from fibrotv.com (see link below) is another self-help post which although it applies to life in general when you're in pain, is especially applicable at this time of year, when you're workload suddenly seems to double. It's full of useful tips to help you find a balance when the pain is bad and the pressure to act in a certain way means you can't just take to your bed. You may cringe at internet 'nannies' telling you how to behave but sometimes you're just not aware of how the pressure is building up and it's only when your body screams 'enough already!' that you realise you need to take a step back. This article may help you prepare a little better.
Posted on October 28, 2014 237 by Jen Reynolds Posted in FibroTV Blog
Many times when you are chronically ill there are things you want to do but because of symptoms they can be difficult. This is more so for people that have suddenly became ill and had full and busy lives before they became sick. The sudden reduction in physical activity can leave someone with a chronic illness to have feelings of guilt and feeling as if they are a burden to others. Also, many people with chronic illnesses have a people pleasing trait and have a hard time saying “No” which can sometimes leave the person with the illness physically and emotionally drained. So what do you do when the mind says yes but the body says no? Here are some tips!
Don’t Judge Yourself
When you have to cancel plans, rearrange appointments, or just flat out say no to an obligation because of illness the last thing you want to do is be self critical or judge yourself. Don’t let people make you feel guilty! You know your body and if you can’t do something it is because you can’t do it at the time. Be kind to yourself and gentle with your choices that are best for your health. There are enough people that will try to make you feel bad and/or guilty for not being there. You do not have to make that any worse by making yourself feel bad.
Evaluate What You CAN Do
If a person focuses on what they can do instead of what they can not do, the world opens up to many astonishing opportunities. This positive outlook reveals it self in the form of more energy, increased creativeness and a stronger sense of competence. Focusing on what you can do instead of focusing on what you can not do will make all the difference in the world! On the other hand, when you focus on your weak points and disappointments, the world becomes terrible place of “whoa” and anguish. You may start to believe that you cannot accomplish anything so you stop trying, which may cause mental distress. These anxious thoughts fill one’s day with trepidation and drudgery, and may weigh a person down with a sense of bleakness.
To modify your self-talk or attitude you must change that inner conversation or dialogue you are having. To stop it you must catch it in action. So, pay attention to yourself. You must connect to and listen for that inner voice whenever possible. What do you tell yourself all day long?
For those with children there are obviously certain things you must do for them as you are personally responsible for your kids and you can’t just say no about things like taking them to school, the doctors, Etc etc etc. I think it is important to be open and honest with your children and let them know when you are having a rough day. They know anyways! They pick up on your energy so being up front and telling them that “Today I might not be able do everything I like with you but I will try my best to do all I can for you.” can really help them to be more prepared and understand that you have limits that day. Your kids being told up front helps them be prepared if you do have to say no to something later in the day. If your children are older make sure they help out around the house when you are not feeling well. Most kids like to help out and don’t feel as helpless in the situation of a parent being ill if you give them a few things to do (even when they give you an attitude about it). Let’s face it!! You are not a super parent anymore and that is okay! Don’t try to be. That is a lot of pressure and can be unachievable even for a healthy person!
Make Large Meals With Leftovers For Those Days You Can’t Cook
We all have to eat and we normally eat unhealthy when we are not feeling well. We turn to fast food or heavily processed food because it is cheap, easy and fast! This is where larger meals when you are having a good day and feeling up to cooking come in handy. Just put the left overs in the freezer for a night you are not feeling up to cooking and reheat. Also crock pots are awesome! Toss in the one pot meal and it slow cooks all day and you have a very healthy and homemade meal that taste like you slaved in the kitchen for hours!
Take cat naps or/and mediate during the day
We all know stress and not enough sleep makes our symptoms worse so including short naps during the early afternoon (Be careful not to take naps too late or you will be up all night!) and taking time out to meditate will reduce your stress and pain.
Don’t know how to meditate? Try free guided meditation videos on Youtube! Not all meditations are the same and you have to find ones the resonate with you and relaxes you so browse a few! There are even meditations for every belief system and religion!
Weather permitting get outside AT LEAST once a day
Even if it is just sitting in the backyard or front porch, getting outside is good for your overall health!
Here are five good reasons to get outdoors:
Your vitamin D levels rise. Sunlight hitting the skin begins a process that leads to the creation and activation of vitamin D. Studies suggest that this vitamin helps fight certain conditions, from osteoporosis and cancer to depression and heart attacks. Limited sun exposure (don’t overdo it), supplemented with vitamin D pills if necessary, is a good regimen.
You’ll get more exercise. If you make getting outside a goal, that should mean less time in front of the television and computer and more time walking and doing other things that put the body in motion.
You’ll be happier. Light tends to elevate people’s mood, and there’s usually more light available outside than in. Physical activity has been shown to help people relax and cheer up, so if being outside replaces inactive pursuits with active ones, it might also mean more smiles.
Your concentration will improve. Children with ADHD seem to focus better after being outdoors. It might be a stretch to say that applies to adults, but if you have trouble concentrating, outdoor activity may help.
You may heal faster. In one study, people recovering from spinal surgery experienced less pain and stress and took fewer pain medications when they were exposed to natural light. An older study showed that the view out the window (trees vs. a brick wall) helped recovery in the hospital.
Find something creative to do if you are bedridden for the day
Nothing is worse for your mind/body/spirit than laying around thinking about all the pain you are in. What you think about expands. It is the natural law of attraction. Finding an activity that will make you feel like you have been productive even if you are not able to get out of bed can make a huge difference emotionally. Remember our mind and body are connected so when you are not doing well emotionally it will cause more physical symptoms! Many people have found new and exciting talents through chronic illness and downtime due to injury. What excites you? Is there something you always wanted to do creatively or to help others but you never had the time to do it before? Maybe learn how to knit or scrapbook? How about writing letters to those soldiers that are serving in another country or have been injured? Sit down and write down what you would like to try and maybe you will find a new passion and a new purpose!
http://fibrotv.com/2014/10/when-the-mind-says-yes-but-the-body-says-no/
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