Living with chronic pain or fatigue can make every day feel challenging. For some people, these issues ebb and flow. Sometimes, you’re able to attend social gatherings, keep up with your responsibilities at work, and practice your hobbies. Other days, your symptoms are so severe that you can barely get out of bed. But some people who struggle with chronic pain or fatigue rarely experience any relief from their symptoms, and each day becomes a battle.
How can you cope with conditions like these and carve out some enjoyment in life? Learning your activity limits and committing to realistic, beneficial lifestyle habits is key. Here are a few workable coping strategies for people with chronic pain or fatigue.
Stay Ahead of Your Symptoms
Perhaps your doctor has prescribed you a specific medication for your symptoms, or you’ve find that certain supplements or other treatments provide relief. If this is the case, work closely with your doctor to determine a safe schedule for these treatments that will allow you to “stay ahead” of your symptoms. Pay attention to your symptoms so that you can tell when you’re reaching your activity limits. Sometimes, waiting until your symptoms feel intensely uncomfortable to treat them in some way can feel fruitless.
Get Comfortable with Saying “No”
Part of you may want to hide your symptoms from your loved ones. Even if they know about your symptoms, you might shy away from admitting how poorly you feel at times. You want to put on a brave face. You fear that if you’re open about the severity of your symptoms, people might think that you’re “faking it.”
Therefore, you try to say “Yes” when your loved ones ask you to attend an event or help them out with something. If you’re currently working, you might do the same in your job. However, it’s crucial to get comfortable with the idea of saying “No” when you do not have the capacity to take on a commitment. You’re not letting down other people. You are allowed to put your own health and wellbeing first.
Practice Low-Effort Healthy Habits
It’s not easy to eat a healthy diet or get lots of exercise when you’re dealing with chronic fatigue or pain. You can find unique ways to practice these habits without putting excess stress on your body. For example, buying pre-cut fruit and vegetables as well as nutritious snacks can help you get the nutrients you need without cooking elaborate meals. Rather than trying to complete intense workouts at the gym, you can do gentle yoga at home, or go for daily walks if you have the energy.
Find Hobbies that Don’t Drain You
It can be tough to keep up with certain activities if you don’t have much energy. But this doesn’t mean that you have to give up on all of your hobbies. You may want to try some new hobbies that don’t require a lot of energy. This could include reading, knitting, or painting.
Create a Cozy Environment
Because of your chronic pain or fatigue, you might spend a lot of time at home. Think about which rooms you spend most of your time in. Then, put in some extra effort to turn these rooms into cozy, comfortable spaces! You may want to upgrade your bedding, add more pillows, have the walls painted in a soothing color, or put up posters and artwork that you love to look at.
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Are you still struggling to cope with chronic pain or fatigue? Working with a therapist can help you manage your experience better. Reach out to us today to discuss scheduling your first appointment for women’s or men’s counseling.