Lockdown has been hard for a lot of people, even for those who are both physically and mentally robust. It is even harder for people experiencing chronic pain. Many of them have been unable to access the activities or treatments which help them manage that pain. This could have created or exacerbated mental-health issues, thus increasing the problem. If this sounds familiar, here are some suggestions to help.
Make sure that you get any benefits to which you are entitled
The benefits system can be hard to navigate, especially if you have to do it from a smartphone or tablet. It is, however, worth making the effort. Any extra money you get can be directly invested in your health, physical and mental.
Take whatever steps you can to reduce sources of stress
Think through an average day and try to picture any stress triggers. Then do whatever you can to eliminate (or avoid them). If you can’t do either then see if you can get support to deal with them. If you still find yourself feeling stressed, try keeping a mental-health journal and using this to track down the source of the problem.
Plan out your day so you can approach it calmly
This is a variation on the previous point, but it’s different enough to justify a mention on its own. Make a point of keeping a schedule and a task list. At the end of each day, work out what you need (and want) to do the next day. Then work out what needs to happen for you to get to your appointments and/or accomplish your tasks. Organize as much as you can before you go to bed. That way you’re setting yourself up for success the next day.
Actively practice wellness
Deep breathing and meditation are both easy to learn (at a basic level) and can be very effective in helping people to deal with chronic pain. You might also want to try journaling and/or adult colouring books.
Even when you’re busy with general tasks, you can have background music or sounds. If money is tight you can often access these for free online, try YouTube. If your budget stretches to it, you can also use essential oils. These can, however, be toxic to pets so be sure to do your research if you have animals or birds in your home.
Exercise as much as you reasonably can
Exercise helps to keep your weight down. This has all kinds of health benefits. In the context of chronic pain, it can help to relieve the burden on muscles and joints. Exercise also releases endorphins that boost your mood, which can also be very welcome when dealing with chronic pain.
If you’re struggling to exercise indoors, you might want to look at indoor trampolines. These are gentle on the joints, affordable and easy to store. What’s more, you can use them with barely any noise, so you won’t disturb anyone else, whether that’s a sleeping baby or a neighbour.
See if heat helps
If your chronic pain relates to muscles or joints, then heat may help. You can’t sit in a shower or bath all day (although you should try to avoid rushing), but you could try alternative heat treatments. If your budget is limited, then you might want to look at buying an electric blanket. If you have more funds, then you might want to look at an infrared sauna.
Infrared saunas are essentially dry heat. They come in various forms including mats you put flat on the floor and tents in which you sit. Good ones are definitely investment purchases, but they can be very worthwhile investments.
If you need treatment, please contact us to book an appointment
