How to get through a bad day - List

[Guest guest]

I sing because I can't dance anymore but I love music. There is a free

online karaoke called.www.singsnap.com and i have done about 600 songs. It's my

therapy. anyone can join and it's just for fun and relaxing.

I am not good at any needlework or art anymore. Maybe this will help someone

like me.

cathie

>Ms Katurah wrote: How does someone cope when it seems

everything is going downhill at once?

[Guest guest]

>Ms Katurah wrote: How does someone cope when it seems

everything is going downhill at once?

Here is a list of some of the things I do, depending on my energy and ability

level at the time.

Sometimes, when all else fails and I am stuck unable to move or otherwise

function from the pain or frustration, I listen to an Relaxing Audio Books or

Meditation CDs. This way I can keep my eyes closed. I have found a few authors

I like who have soothing voices. (I have suggestions, if anyone is interested,

or you can maybe find some of your own).

When I have a little more energy, but not enough to really get myself going, I

take the random magazines I have collected and cut out what I call " positive

words, pictures and phrases. " These days all the ads trying to sell things

usually have positive words like: beauty, power, energy, success, etc. Somehow

cutting out the positive words and pictures makes me more relaxed. Then I save

the cutouts for when I have more energy.

Next would be the days when I feel like I can do something, but I still don't

have as much energy as I'd like. I take those cutouts and I make things with

them. Either cards for friends to share positivity with, or I paste them into

my pain journal making note of the day or time, so I can see where my pain was,

and what's interesting is that later when I review my journal those pasted

cutouts take me immediately back to the exact emotion I was feeling.

Usually seeing the pasting makes me feel motivated, like I had done something.

Starting out with a blank page, and then ending up with a mural of emotions and

positivity is helpful to me. I can then even on my bad days feel like I have

accomplished something.

Also, when energy is low, and I can't get about I like to call friends and talk.

II have found that I can't talk when in too much pain, but when I'm recovering

from a flare-up, and I'm well enough, I will reach out. Then, I make myself a

promise to myself that I will not talk about my pains, doctors or medications

when I call. And, if I cannot keep that promise, then I don't make the call.

If I feel well enough to get around, I like to sit in my garden or in a park,

and listen to the birds or watch the leaves, branches, flowers dance in the

breeze, and just pay attention to everything peaceful that is there, the sights,

the smells, the sounds. I close my eyes and try to relax every muscle in my

body. I also try bio feedback, which to me means when I focus really closely not

on the pain that is, but on the area of the pain, and I notice that when I am

focused on the part of my body in pain, and not the pain itself, that my body

will release the tension in that area.

Those are just some of the things I do on my really bad days. What do some

other folks do?

Jade

[Guest guest]

What an awesome tip Cathie - I have just signed up

in NZ

Cathie wrote:

> I sing because I can't dance anymore, but I love music. There is a free

online karaoke called.www.singsnap.com and i have done about 600 songs. It's my

therapy. anyone can join and it's just for fun and relaxing.

[Guest guest]

What a wonderful list. It covers everything that was covered in the Mayo's Pain

Rehabilitation Center. I've summarized by category and added a few things that

I or friends do under each.

Distraction: Wii Dance, dancing, singing, drumming, walking, drawing,

journaling, beading, knitting, reading, email, TV/movie, talking to friends

(about anything but pain), volunteering, playing with kids/dogs/cats, jokes

Relaxation: Deep breathing, meditation/prayer, biofeedback, listening to

relaxation, imagery cds or other relaxing audio.

Ask for Support: Let people know you are having a " challenging day " , but do not

discuss the pain. Ask for some help with something - I usually ask for help

with distraction, relaxation, encouragement and reminders to go about my daily

routine. Here are common reminders that I get: Did you take your medication?

Maybe you should try getting up and dressed. Do you think you can do part of

your stretching?

I have just gotten into texting. Yes, I am old and texting is a new concept for

me. I regularly text to three people who also have chronic pain. We text

almost daily. Short things like " Good morning. Today is a challenging day. " or

" I'm doing okay today. How are you? " We help each other out by checking in and

following up. If anyone wants to text me, please email me your phone number and

I will be happy to text you.

Good luck.

[Guest guest]

Alohahaha,

Don't forget to laugh.

There is so much to laugh about.

Look in your wallet/purse and laugh.

Look at the stack of unpaid medical and utility bills and laugh.

Look at the robin searching for a worm and laugh.

Tell yourself a joke (check below for a short one) and laugh.

Tell yourself the same joke again and laugh laugh.

Tell yourself the same joke through the day. It will get funnier each time your

hear it and heartily laugh.

Reach out and call someone about the funniest joke and laugh.

Reach out and pat someone on the back and laugh.

Reach out and touch the most painful spot and laugh.

Stretch out your arms, cheer, and laugh.

Stretch your toes, cheer, and laugh.

Stretch your nose, CHEER, and laugh

Cheers,

Alan

Raleigh, NC USA

Certified Laughter Leader

P.S. Thanks for info on meds like Neurontin quitting. It's just not working

anymore, but I thought it was me.

Knock Knock. Who's There. Cowgoes. Cowgoes Who?

That's funny, my cow goes MOO.

Laugh till you cry.

How does someone cope when it seems

> everything is going downhill at once?

>