How To Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers I recently read How to Be Sick for the third time! Each time I read this book I take away comfort and knowledge…comfort from knowing I am not alone and knowledge from the helpful practices she shares in the book. The author offers both a chronology of her illness and an … Continue reading Book Synopsis: How to Be Sick by Toni Bernhard
Adult coloring is all the rage right now. People living with pain should definitely explore this new fad as coloring can provide incredible relaxation and allow one to temporarily forget about physical pain. Not to mention that scientists have found that coloring actually quiets the part of the brain, the amygdala, that causes stress and is often activated when we are distressed by our pain. A recent Huffington Post … Continue reading Adult Coloring for Chronic Pain or Illness
Chronic Pain Life’s online 21-Day Chronic Pain/Illness Photography Project recently completed. The participants’ photographs and accompanying explanations were all incredibly impactful, insightful and powerful. The most popular of the project’s daily photo prompts were: Goals, Identity, Know This, Who I Was and Acceptance. Day after day as participants explored and shared their experiences of pain/illness, through taking and sharing photos as well as viewing and … Continue reading Chronic Pain/Illness Photography Project Follow-Up
I am really struggling with the fact that I think I have finally given up on believing there is a God. I just can’t possibly understand the purpose of my housebound life. A life where my spine requires I eat my meals laying down, a life without the ability to have children (whether adopted or my own), unable to drive, go to the movies, grocery … Continue reading Disabled from chronic pain, I am questioning my faith.
Originally posted on para las fridas:
I was once told that the sun shining through the trees had healing qualities. That the act of partially blocking out of the sun as its rays emit through the green helped with emotional release. I always thought this was a myth—a beautiful story I was told in adolescence to make me feel better. Still, the great Egyptian architects… Continue reading When Healing Our Body Is Not an Option, We Still Can Heal From the Inside
Living with chronic pain would be a lot harder if I didn’t have pets. My two cats are the biggest blessings in my life as I deal with the challenge of a life with chronic pain. So often with chronic pain we are physically isolated from others. For me, I am rarely able to drive and I often can’t participate in social activities with friends … Continue reading How pets help with chronic pain
Like most people with chronic pain or illness, I have had to say goodbye to many beloved hobbies. Gone are my world travelling days, my biking adventures, and, often, even my waterfront strolls. So I have had to search out hobbies I can physically manage. My new hobbies have slowly evolved over the past few years. There are some I tried, like sewing, that ended up … Continue reading Have your hobbies changed since you have chronic pain?
I use affirmations, on a daily basis, to deal with my pain. I seriously couldn’t function without them. In a pain flare-up they prevent me from entering a spiral of negative thoughts that in the past led to depression and even suicidal thoughts. Sometimes I only have to repeat the affirmations a couple of times, while other times I have to read them over and … Continue reading Affirmations to use during a pain flare-up
Recent research is showing links between certain foods and chronic pain. I have reviewed this research extensively and summarized below, what foods and drinks can ease chronic pain and what ones can increase pain. *Please keep in mind that these are general suggestions and should be tailored to your existing health conditions.* EASE PAIN by eating/drinking: Ginger – lowers inflammation and muscle pain. Onions – contain phytochemicals that … Continue reading Eating for Chronic Pain – what to eat and what to avoid
Although there are no vitamins or supplements to “cure” chronic pain there is increasing research showing some vitamins and supplements may ease pain for some individuals and for some types of pain. I have summarized the research below. Fish Oil (2-4 grams of DHA + EPA/day) – major anti-inflammatory and helps with all types of pain Magnesium Citrate – helps with muscle spasms and weakness … Continue reading Vitamins and Supplements for Chronic Pain
Full Blume Wellness 