Stress Can Be Such A Pain

Stress can be such a pain. Literally! But don't take my word for it. Go ahead and stress yourself out over something tiny or huge and watch what happens. Just don't blame me for your aches and pains, because I did warn you...

Negative feelings, anxiety, depression, anger, stress --- they all can increase you body's sensivitity to pain. You need to find ways and tools to minimize those feelings in order to manage some of your pain. Its not easy and it takes time to train your brain and your body on how to handle stress. I am always a work in progress. And I have my moments where I fail miserably. But I 'have' learned not to beat myself up about it. I've learned to shrug it off and just jump back in right where I am. Rather than concentrate on the negative, I let go of the past. The things, habits, words, actions, I cannot change. I can however control the 'now' and the "future.' So let whatever is eating at you go. Let whatever response you have to that stress go too. Instead pick one or two of the following tips and retrain your brain on how to respond. Because stress is never going to go away. You're in a permanent game of dodge ball. Hopefully most days you can get out of its way. But when it goes and smacks you in the face when you are not looking, try some of the following to help you stay in the game.

Look to techniques that reduce stress and promote relaxation. Such as listening to soothing calming music. Light a candle with a soft comforting scent. Take a hot bath and just let your body relax. This would be the perfect time to try mental imagery. Try to mentally escape to a place or time where you were happy and relaxed. Focus only on positive images. This is not the time to multi task and build your grocery list. Just let everything else go. Picture yourself walking thru a quiet meadow or sitting peacefully by a babbling brook. Can't do it? Then maybe consider purchasing a relaxation cd to help assist you. Or seeing a mental health professional. They are a great resource to use if you need to. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Try deep breathing, meditation, yoga to help you relax. Whatever you are comfortable with. Maybe start with just simple slow breaths and when you've got that consider the next step of meditating. Doesn't need to be for a huge chunk of time. Maybe just do little mini breaks throughout the day if that works better for you. Honestly, its a life saver for me. My life and job is so stressful that I am constantly fighting that anxious stressed  feeling and I can feel my pain levels raise higher and higher. I don't have 'time' for meditating, breathing, etc. I got stuff that has to be done! Or so I told myself. Then I told myself to stop. To breathe. Block it all out and breathe. Everyone who needs me can wait for 2 minutes. And they'll be happier for it too. Because if I don't take those two minutes, I grenade on them. So yes. Take those few minutes even if its just here and there. Close your eyes. Deep breathes in, slow exhales out. Roll shoulders and neck slowly. Just let it go. Try doing it every hour or half hour. Thats what I am learning to do. Nothing too huge. Just a quick mini de-stress session. I'm actually much more productive and calmer when I do this. Making me a better person and co worker to be around.

Should I say it? Exercise. I know! I know! That horrible dreaded word. We hurt. We don't need to add to our pain by adding exercise. The doctors are total goons and don't have a clue what pain feels like on a daily basis. If they just lived ONE DAY in our shoes. I get it. I think the same. Doesn't mean I get a 'free pass' on it though. They aren't saying to enter the decathalon or sign up for the next body building competition. They just say to incorporate exercise. I want to hate them too. But I'll be honest with you. I gripe, moan, cuss, sulk, and throw a mini tantrum every day as I go to do my 'exercise adventure' of the day. I have so many colorful words and names to call these Drs.I am not a happy camper, but I do it. Why? Because I honestly DO feel better when I am done.  I don't promise anyone anything when it comes to exercising. I listen to my body and if all I can do that day is the minimum, then so be it. I do the minimum. But I 'do' - do it. Even if its just walking in the pool for a half hour. Or ten minutes on the treadmill. I do it. More often than not, once I get past the ten minute mark, I'm feeling pretty good and can go further or longer. My endorphins have kicked in and I now have my natural body pain reliever working. So do try it. Even if its just the minimum to start or on your bad days. And I promise I won't tell you I told you so. (And of course consult your physician before starting any exercise program.) Exercise really is a wonderful way to conquer stress and to help with pain.

Here is a great tip... Join a support group! Seriously! People who have chronic pain feel alone. If you go to a meeting you will soon realize that you are not alone after all. And by joining a group you have instant access to the wisdom of others who endure as well. They may have some tips to assist you. Learn from them. And don't make the mistake I made. I thought it would just be a bunch of people sitting around whining about how much they hurt. Its not! Or at least ours isn't. Janice is FABULOUS about arranging speakers to come in and give us different avenues to explore. We've never had a gripe session. Its awesome! Going to group meetings has given me a huge resource of information. Through the speakers, the other people who attend, its just incredible. So please, at least try a support group. If its not for you thats okay. But you could be happily surprised that you went. And if its our support group, well, I can't wait to meet you!

Another thing that can help manage pain and relieve stress is to stop smoking. Apparently it can worsen already painful circulation problems. Not to mention it increases your risk of heart disease and cancer.
Massage, biofeedback, a healthy diet, and tracking your pain level daily are also ways to handle your stress levels. A simple pain journal could be a useful tool to refer back to. It may pinpoint areas that cause you unneeded stress that you didn't realize. If you could prevent that action from happening in the first place, what a life changer that would be. Sometimes writing it down is all it takes to see something you would not have otherwise.

Remember to breathe and relax your muscles. Let that stress go. Don't let it encompass you.

Blessings to you my friends ~ Kristie