A new year, a new start. Well, not quite perhaps, but the start of a new year can spark the start of new beginnings for a lot of people. Whether you’re a goal setter or not, it’s hard to get away from the idea that the beginning of a new year can bring so much potential and possibility. For some people living with chronic pain, it might be hard to go into a new year feeling anything but dread. You might be worried that your pain isn’t getting any better, that you’re missing out on more and more of your life. If this sounds like you, then perhaps use this as an opportunity to set some chronic pain based goals and resolutions. Here’s a few ideas to get you started!
Learn how to pace.
Pacing is probably one of the most controversial topics within the chronic pain community, with many people saying that it’s too difficult or it doesn’t work for them. I used to sit on that side of the debate, until I realised that pacing wasn’t the problem. The problem was the way I was integrating it into my life. I used to think pacing would mean pressing pause on my life with no compromise. I used to think it was sticking to a strict timetable and limiting myself on what I could do each day. But, that’s not what good pacing looks like at all. These days for me pacing looks like switching activities, rather than stopping them completely. If I’ve been sat at my desk for a while then the last thing I want to do is then lay down, leaving me feeling even stiffer, so instead I’ll now switch tasks and do some cleaning, for example. Use the new year as an opportunity to learn more about pacing, and find out how it can work with your life best.
Make a flare up plan.
If you don’t already have a flare up plan, then make it a resolution to create one in January, it will change your life! Flare up’s are inevitable when you live with chronic pain or illness, but we can learn to manage them better by planning for them. Often when we’re in the middle of a flare up, it’s hard to remember what things help us the most, so creating a plan ahead of time means that you’re prepared and ready to go. A flare up plan can be a mix of practical things like medications, heat therapy and joint supports, and also ways to mentally prepare and get through a flare up. Learning to accept flare ups is a massive part of your plan, because fighting against your own body will only leave you suffering more. My flare up plan has made such a massive difference to my life, and it means I no longer dread when my symptoms get worse.
Look after your mind more.
Chronic pain is physical, there is no denying that, and I’m not here to tell you that your pain is all in your head, but mental health and wellbeing can have a big impact on how we cope with our pain. If we look after our minds better, then we are more prepared for the ups and downs of life. Learning to cope with chronic pain can be really mentally challenging, adapting to a new way of life is tough. Accepting your diagnosis, rather than fighting against it and trying to continue your old way of life, is truly the most freeing feeling. Think about how you can look after your mind more in the new year!
Here’s to starting the new year with good habits and intentions!
If you would like to get in touch with Shona you can follow her on twitter, instagram or drop her a message via her website.