Lifestyle Changes That Can Ease Your Chronic Pain

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition, you might be wondering how you’re going to deal with your pain. While we don’t have a magic answer for you, there are ways to manage your pain and avoid triggers. These tips can make living with chronic pain easier and help you live a close-to-normal life.

There are many conditions that cause chronic pain and many types of chronic pain, which mean that there are varying ways to treat it. Your first source for relief should be your doctor or specialist referred by your doctor. This person will be able to talk to you about your specific condition and how to best manage it. Next, take stock of your lifestyle and see if there are ways to ease the pain.

If you’re having a flare-up of your condition and noticing more pain than usual, consider some of the following triggers and how to avoid them.

Stress: In the same way that stress can make you tired or give you a headache, it can also aggravate chronic pain conditions. The amount of stress in your life can be reflected in your aching joints or muscles. For most of us, stress is just a part of life, but there are some relaxation techniques to ease stress. Mindfulness and meditation can also bring down your stress level, which in turn can ease your pain.

Lack of sleep: The amount of sleep we get can affect our chronic pain. Make an effort to go to bed earlier and sleep longer. Practice good sleep hygiene. Keep electronics out of the bedroom and make your bedroom slightly cooler than the rest of the house. Try using a sleep mask, ear plugs, or white-noise machine to get some rest. Also try to be as relaxed as possible before going to bed.

Clutter: Clutter in your life—physical, virtual, and emotional—adds to your stress level, which causes more pain. Clear it out. Go through your home and attack it one room at a time. Give away what you can, and only keep the things you actually use, need, or enjoy. Decluttering is usually something you have to stay on top of as new things constantly come into our lives. Work on simplicity in your life, which creates simplicity in your mind.

Potential for addiction: Some people with chronic pain must take opioids. But opioid painkillers can be very addictive, so to avoid addiction, know exactly what you’re taking. Ask your doctor lots of questions and know the risks and warning signs of abuse. Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. Only take painkillers if you absolutely need them. Tell your doctor if you notice they’re not working as well. Staying in communication with your doctor is crucial.

Remember that a chronic pain diagnosis is not a life sentence. While there may not be a cure for your condition, there are many things you can do to alleviate your pain.  Focus on the things that matter in your life, such as family and purpose. They’ll help you get through it.