Easing stress

[Guest guest]

I need a bigger pocket book with everything I need to carry or I

would do # 1. enjoy the tips Heidi

Easing Stress

Friday, December 19, 2008

By: Janet Schneider

FMOnline vol. 8, no. 12

I have tried to eliminate a lot of my stress by doing the following:

I use only a small pocketbook and eliminate all change, and anything

else that weighs it down.

I make sure that when I go grocery shopping that each bag is filled

to a weight comfortable for me to lift. I have found if I even lift a

gallon-size jug, it brings on tendonitis in my right elbow. What I do

to avoid this is to buy two half-gallon containers. That might cost

more, but for me it is the most practical way to avoid stress.

I try not to plan to do too many things in any given day. I do

whatever I can to avoid rushing, which is a huge stressor for me. It

only makes me anxious and panicky.

I don't wear my hair too long, in order to cut down on drying time.

If I take a long time drying my hair, my right arm will hurt me for

days.

When it comes to payingbill , I try to get as many of my bills on

autopay as I can. This way there's no risk of being late, ruining my

credit rating, and having to pay penalties.

Be kind. When you are kind to others, you are really being kind to

yourself. I try to maintain a smile whenever I can and be friendly to

people I meet.

Positive thinking is essential for me, and has helped eliminate a big

chunk of my pain. I try to instill this to others that I chat with as

well. If I can remain calm I actually feel so much better.

I make simple and easy to make recipes. Less time in the kitchen =

less stress for me! If I have too much to clean up alone, I have my

husband wash the pots. They are heavy and hurt my fingers. I also use

paper plates when it is just my husband and/or myself eating. I buy a

huge bag full of them at a local warehouse store.

When I am extremely achy and uncomfortable, I sleep in a separate

room. Then I don't have to worry about waking my husband. I let him

get the better night's sleep as he is the breadwinner!

Socializing is very important for people with fibromyalgia. It

focuses the mind on other things, and it's easier to forget about

your pain for a while. The more activities I join, the more people I

meet and get to see again. This is essential for me during the winter

months when I suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as well.

If I am in the house too long, I get very down.

These are some of the ways I have learned to help myself alleviate

the stress in my life. By doing these things, I feel I have some

control over my pain, and I am not allowing it to consume my life in

a negative way. We also need to have hope and faith to get us through

the hardest days.