When we talk about managing chronic pain, we know that managing the physical symptoms is just as important as looking after our mental health and wellbeing. Living with pain is a whole body experience, it affects everything, including your mind, and can impact every area of your life. This is why it’s so important to make time and space in your life to meet your psychological needs, and give you space to heal. If chronic pain has turned your life upside all of a sudden, completely changing your career and social life, then this is something that is going to take time to come to terms with. Today I’ll be sharing how you can work towards building yourself a safe space to do that healing.
Many of us have busy lives, and it can often feel like there is always something more important to do than the things that would help us. If you have a family, a busy job or other commitments, it might feel like your own well being comes bottom of the list, but when you live with chronic pain it’s so important to put your own needs first. Giving your best to other people can only happen when you’re giving your best to yourself. Work on recognising your own needs and prioritising them, and remember that looking after yourself doesn’t mean you’re letting down anyone else.
Leading on from that, communication and boundaries are two incredibly important tools to have when you live with chronic pain. If you need space to heal and to adjust to a different way of life, having the ability to communicate this to your loved ones, and consequently then setting boundaries with them is important in making that healing possible. Let your loved ones know that you’re struggling and need some time to heal, and set boundaries to make that possible. That perhaps might mean having to say no to people more, which can be tough if you’re used to always helping others. but it’s vital that you create the time and space to meet your own needs though.
It’s also important to remember that everyone’s healing journey looks different. Some people will adapt to a new way of living quicker, whilst others take longer to adjust, and that’s totally okay. There is no time limit. I’ve been living with chronic pain for 8 years now, and my healing is still an ongoing journey. We all have expectations of how long something should take us, but healing is one of those things that takes as long as it takes. The best advice I can often give people is to simply be kind to yourself.
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