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Whether you’re facing a new fibromyalgia diagnosis or you’ve been coping with fibromyalgia for ages, it never hurts to brush up on strategies on how to live your life to the fullest.
Huge obstacles like chronic pain and stress fall before you every single day. Take a moment here to realize that you are not alone and there are things you can try to alleviate the side effects of life with fibromyalgia.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Coping with fibromyalgia means combatting both muscular and skeletal problems every day. You wake up sore, which causes mental strain and spills over into virtually every area of your life.
And there is no obvious cure. The relentless pain and discomfort caused by fibromyalgia stay with patients for an indefinite amount of time and require steady maintenance for as long as it lingers.
Fibromyalgia magnifies experiences of human pain, making it nearly impossible to keep a level head, or even rest! It makes sense that coping with fibromyalgia is so exhausting.
Why Is Coping With Fibromyalgia Such A Challenge?
Coping with fibromyalgia is especially challenging because the side effects of this super uncomfortable condition are hidden deep inside the brains of the people who have it. Doctors have not been able to pinpoint why or how fibromyalgia pain is so severe—meaning they are stuck treating the symptoms rather than fixing the root of the problem.
If you are somebody coping with fibromyalgia, you understand just how mysterious and frustrating it can be. Some days are less severe than others, and it can often feel like you have no choice but to hang on for the ride.
10 Strategies For Coping With Fibromyalgia Pain and Symptoms
Fortunately, there is a long list of things that you can try when coping with fibromyalgia. Here are ten good ideas that you add to your collection of symptom management strategies.
Learn To Manage Your Stress In Healthy Ways
Truly coping with fibromyalgia symptoms means steering clear of dangerous or addictive management tools, such as alcohol or drugs. While some medications can take the edge off once in a while, they should come last after other natural remedies.
Combatting the stress that comes with fibromyalgia means leaning on others whenever possible so that you can talk through your pain and feel less lonely. Leverage your family and friends, but also seek out others with chronic illnesses who can relate to your specific struggles.
Focus On Taking Care Of Your Central Nervous System
Many studies suggest that the core of fibromyalgia pain rests in the central nervous system, which means that coping with fibromyalgia can start there.
While you can’t necessarily treat your central nervous system like you would a broken bone, you can tend to your nerves from the outside by checking the alignment of your spine and hips. Link up with a chiropractor to see if they can help treat your central nervous system through safe practices.
Start Exercising Regularly
Even when it seems impossible to do, make gentle exercises a regular part of coping with fibromyalgia. You want to avoid rigorous, overwhelmingly painful activities in favor of low-impact and high-reward activities.
Swimming, walking, yoga, or tai chi are among the most effective and enjoyable activities for patients with chronic pain. They can help you keep weight off, maintain a peaceful mind, and keep your body strong to counteract severe symptoms.
Related: 5 Natural Remedies For Fibromyalgia To Help Alleviate Your Symptoms
Switch Up Your Diet
This is always a challenge, but the food that you put into your body matters a great deal when coping with fibromyalgia. Avoiding processed foods can help you stay light on your feet and prevent irritation to your insides that may lead to an aggressive flare-up.
Write Things Down When Coping With Fibromyalgia Fog
Believe it or not, keeping a pen and paper nearby can help in coping with fibromyalgia, too. Some people with fibromyalgia find forgetting things and muddling their words among the most irritating side effects.
Quickly jotting down your important thoughts or plans for the evening can help keep you on track, and may even prompt the members of your family to help with things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.
Set Boundaries and Learn To Say No
Protecting yourself from overexertion and undue stress is crucial when combatting any chronic condition. Of course, you don’t want to miss out or feel inferior to those without chronic pain, but recognize that prioritizing your health is not a sign of weakness: it’s a sign of strength.
Strive To Get Better Sleep
Fibromyalgia makes rest a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you can give up on sleep. Rather, coping with fibromyalgia means focusing extra on your nighttime routine. This helps you set your body and mind up for success at night.
Leave yourself enough time just before bedtime to wind down, journal, read a relaxing book, and settle under the covers.
Prioritize Self-Care
That’s right. When was the last time you pampered yourself? Self-care might be more important for those coping with fibromyalgia than it is for the average Jane. Doing nice things for yourself helps you relax, shift your focus, and enjoy life when you otherwise aren’t.
Paint a picture, pick flowers, or watch a good movie, as often as you can! Again, this attention to yourself shows great strength.
Find Support
Ask your doctor or search the web for groups of people coping with fibromyalgia. You are not alone, and seeking the advice of others with your condition is often easier than relying on your friends and family with less experience for understanding.
Learn To Pace Yourself
Unfortunately, predictability is not a thing for fibromyalgia patients. You have to be ready for any symptoms and make adjustments to your day according to how you are feeling. That walk on the beach you planned with your partner might turn into resting on a bench, watching the waves.
Don’t sweat the changes that you have to make—just stay in control and be kind to your body no matter what it needs!
Coping with fibromyalgia can look different for everyone. The important thing is that you find systems that work for your unique situation and stick to them as best you can. Remember, there is no rule that says you can’t circle back and try something new! Stay positive and remember, you can get through anything.
