As you’re getting older, the chances of you being affected by fibromyalgia naturally increase as well. This condition will undoubtedly change your life around, and you can’t overlook how stressful it is living with heightened pain daily.
If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia yet wish not to overly rely on medications, then here are a few tips to lessen those pain.
The Effects Of Fibromyalgia On Your Body
First, to make any treatment effective, you must be able to understand thoroughly the condition you’re trying to cure.
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease that causes unexplainable pain all over your body. The reason why a person can suddenly develop this condition is still unclear. We only know that the struggle of having to live with this chronic illness is very real.
The muscle sores and the constant pain are what kept the fibromyalgia sufferers awake at night. Fatigue and stress are two very common symptoms you’ll see in most patients. They have to bear the pain without knowing a way to stop it completely, and this prolonged tension can worsen their well-being even more.
Although there are many recommended therapies to relieve the pain, not every fibromyalgia patient has enough time or finance to follow them regularly. If they cannot get access to therapeutic massages or acupuncture sessions, they have to rely on antidepressants and aspirin to function normally.
In order to reduce the medication intake, these are some of my suggestions on how to reduce fibromyalgia pain. I hope that these tips can help you relax and lead a healthy life, even when you’re dealing with this condition.
10 Ways To Relieve Fibromyalgia Pain
1. Wear comfortable clothing
One of the easiest ways to make your daily activities less painful is to wear clothes that are light on your body. Any apparel that you feel comfortable moving in and doesn’t put more stress on your body will work wonderfully well. Unless you have to dress up for important occasions, breezy T-shirts and soft fleece pants are definitely your best friend.
Even better, you can get yourself a collection of fibromyalgia awareness shirts on Hyperfavor that are both comfortable and informative. Let other people know about your struggle and raise awareness for this condition as well.
2. Meditate
Meditation and mindfulness will help you clear your mind from the stress and exhaustion of enduring fibromyalgia pain.
A study in 2017 suggested that the concept of non-attachment to self, experiences, and environment may result in the patient feeling less painful. In other words, the patients temporarily “forget” that they are in pain when they’re meditating.
Another reason why meditation can benefit you is that it lowers your blood pressure, enhances breathing, and decreases anxiety. This provides you with a better mentality and a more relaxed mind.
3. Do yoga
Similar to the effects of meditation, doing yoga improves your mood and lessen the feeling of pain. It’s a gentle way to keep your body healthy and loosen those aching muscles.
Mindfulness encourages you to focus on breathing and putting your mind at ease. It’s not surprising that a lot of fibromyalgia patients feel that they sleep better after taking up yoga.
4. Use aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is undoubtedly a wonderful method to help you relax without having to do much work. You can choose from essential oils, scented candles, or any form of aroma you prefer.
Different scents can bring different benefits to your body, so make sure you know what you need and do your research properly. For example, capsaicin and basil oils are proven to be amazing pain-relieving effects. On the other hand, scents like lavender or citrus cab boost your sleep quality and reduce depression.
5. Exercise
It can be hard for fibromyalgia patients to keep up with exercising while bearing with the pain. However, physical activities may benefit your health in ways you don’t already know about. Make sure to consult with your doctor to see which type of exercise will be suitable for your condition.
Being active will reduce your fatigue and keep up your confidence. Strength training will surely let you regain the energy you’ve lost ever since you’re diagnosed with the illness.
6. Change your diet
Did you know that the things you eat also change how much pain you feel? It’s suggested that fibromyalgia might have a connection to your metabolism. Thus, an anti-inflammatory diet might help you relieve those annoying pain.
The recommended diet for a fibromyalgia patient should be as below:
- Avoid too much sugar intake such as candies or fruits with high fructose level
- Reduce in lactose and dairy products
- Avoid processed foods that are heavy in salt in sodium
- Avoid alcohol intake
7. Take vitamins and supplements
Other than having a healthy diet, it’s important to take the necessary vitamins and supplements every day. They will make up for any nutritional deficiency you have, and a healthy body means less pain. Vitamin D and magnesium are believed to reduce the level of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Again, remember to talk to your doctor first to see which vitamin won’t make your flare worse.
8. Fix your regular habits
Notice that changes in the way you sit, stand, and walk also affects your health? Fixing bad postures and habits can improve your comfort and help you manage your symptoms better. In addition, get yourself chairs and beds that allow you to relax better.
9. Learn about stress management
Stress is definitely a distinguished outcome of having fibromyalgia. But knowing that you can manage how much pressure you put on your mind will help you feel better. Learn to replace your negative emotions with positivity and a mindful approach to life.
10. Find a routine that works for you
Finally, it’s very important to remember that no two people will experience fibromyalgia the same way.
Therefore, you need to work out a routine that works just for you. Find activities that truly help you relax and improve your quality of life. Whether it’s taking a hot bath or read before you go to bed, don’t be afraid to take up any good habit that makes you feel comfortable.