Tips for Dealing with Pain

When you are in pain or just have discomfort from exercise, illness, a condition such as arthritis, or an injury, there are some things may help.

Remain as active as possible. Talk with a physical therapist or your physician about the things you can do to remain physically active.

Find a friend and go out for a walk, a cup of coffee, or lunch. Try to talk about things in the news, books you have read, movies you have seen, and inject humor into the conversation. Keep the conversation away from your health or pain.

Eat well. Include lots of fruits and veggies in your diet and go light on the sugar. You don’t have to give up sweets, just limit your intake to one small dessert a day instead of one at each meal.

Find something to do that you enjoy that will help keep your mind off your pain. Create art, play music, go dancing, sew, garden, read a good book -- something you love to do.

Find ways to relax. Make some iced or hot tea with Lavender. The flavor is wonderful and it may help to calm you down when you are feeling anxious. You may find lavender tea in some health food stores. Sometimes it is combined with chamomile tea.

Read more examples Natural Ways to Feel Better, Arthritis Today, March-April 2013, pp 52-54.

Check out this CD called the Art of Living with Chronic Pain, by Andrea Bowen (Pooka Publishing).

Cozy Sheep heat therapy for muscle pain

I found it helpful to hear her narrative about accepting one’s pain and then dealing with it. The exercises also helped me work through my back pain. 

Maine Warmers microwave heating pads help promote relaxation and provide a natural home remedy for minor muscle aches and pains. A Cozy Bear provides soothing warmth and companionship for someone who is feeling a bit under the weather.