September is National Chronic Pain Awareness Month. What better way to observe this month during a global pandemic, stay at home and social distancing orders than to spend the time practicing self-care? During these unprecedented times; acute, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain is just as important as chronic, physical pain. Actively practicing self-care can help us "cross the bridge from passive victim to active victor". ©SJohnson 1998
Self-care is anything you choose to do that helps you make YOU the center of your attention at the moment. Soaking in a warm bath, practicing mindfulness, performing a favorite hobby such as crochet, painting, sewing, or baking … simply for the pleasure of performing that hobby. Putting on your favorite pajamas or T-Shirt and cuddling up with a good book is a form of self-care. I have a special t-shirt I like to wear. My grandchildren made it for me and when I wear it, I'm taken back to when each one of them was an infant cuddling in my arms.
Fibromyalgia warrior, Necie Edwards has designed a line of self-care apparel, The Self-Care Butterfly. Necie says, "This shop is all about empowering you to practice Self-Care. The butterfly represents transformation and hope."
Self-care also includes listening to guided meditation for pain relief. I listen to a White noise machine on nights I'm battling insomnia and even have a guided pain meditation app on my phone. Ms. Edwards, the founder of The Fibromyalgia Patient Education and Support Organization, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, also developed a guided pain meditation file. Ms. Edwards is presenting this guided pain meditation file for free to anyone with Chronic Pain during the month of September. Click here to listen.
Self-care is the general category of mind/body/Fibro management tools. Self-care can be broken down into sub-categories.
Mental
Physical
Emotional
Social
Examples of self-care activity include:
Set a routine, go to bed, and wake up at the same time every day.
Take breaks throughout your day to recharge your energy level.
Practice Mindfulness. Utilize the pain meditation tape developed by Ms. Necie Edwards found at this link
Practice proper sleep hygiene.
Be Kind to yourself.
Ms. Edwards adds the following tips:
Put yourself on your own to-do list.
Take a leisurely walk.
Take a mental health day.
Remember Self-care is not selfishness.
Watch for an upcoming link to Fibromyalgia Talks. Ms. Edwards invited me, Sabrina Dudley-Johnson (aka Fibro Diva) to talk about self-care and advocacy tips.
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