Do you suffer from chronic pain? You probably know better than anyone how hard it can make everything in life. Simple activities become a chore and things are harder to enjoy. However, there are ways you can make things easier on yourself. By changing your environment and your habits you can help reduce the pain that you experience on a day to day basis.
1. Buy Special Products
You know those infomercials on late night TV where a woman has no idea how to use a knife? It’s an almost transparent attempt to get you to buy something you don’t need because surely you know how to use everyday utensils. But many of these products are actually made with the disabled in mind. Take a look through these types of product to find something that makes your life easier like neck pillows or grips for cups that are painful to hold.
2. Reduce Negative Emotions
Being in pain already puts you in a bad mood. There is a reason people shout in anger when they stub their toe. This gives you even more reason to avoid extra stressors. Stress, depression, and anxiety can all cause your body to become more sensitive to pain.
3. Get Comfy
When I grew up, we had a special chair in the living room. I had no idea why this chair was so special, but I knew that my grandfather was the one to sit in it. Now I know that it was because of his hip and back problems. In your house, the place where you are supposed to relax, make sure that you have comfortable furniture. Especially with your bed. A good mattress and pillow can help reduce the intensity of your pain.
4. Kick Bad Habits
Smoking cigarettes may be able to give you short-term relief, but in the long run, it can actually make your chronic pain even worse because it reduces blood and nutrient flow in your body. Alcohol can do the same thing. Sure, while you are drinking you get a break from the pain but eventually it will all catch up to you.
5. Tailor Your Diet
Talk to your doctor about the foods that you eat. Certain foods can make your symptoms worse by encouraging inflammation. A healthy diet can also help promote a healthier mood which can transfer over into helping reduce your pain.
6. Exercise
Chronic pain can make you move less which often means sacrificing exercise. But the less you are mobile, the weaker your body will become. Exercising boosts endorphins and other chemicals that can help reduce your pain while also maintaining your body’s strength.
7. Meditate
Meditation is a great way to manage your stress and anxiety. It can also help by making it easier to control your emotions. Another great way meditation can help with pain is helping your body become less sensitive to pain signals.
8. Organize
If you have pain, getting things from hard to reach places is not something you want to do. Reorganize your home so that you can get things easily so you don’t strain yourself. Have a step ladder, so you don’t have to stretch your body out or risk falling. Make your house you friendly.
9. Try CBD Oil
One of the main reasons people try CBD oil is for their pain. You can use CBD topicals on targeted areas or take it orally to get pain in hard to reach places. Studies have shown that CBD has the ability to reduce pain by elevating the endocannabinoid anandamide. The great things about this pain reliever are that you can’t get addicted to it, grow a tolerance or overdose on it. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking it to make sure it won't interfere with any medications, and your doctor can help monitor your progress.
Do you have any tips for reducing pain or making your life easier with chronic pain? We would love to hear about it in the comment section below!
