Activity distraction from pain
 

Anyone here found activity dIstracts from pain? I find that when I have a baking project going it helps. The trouble is that once activity stops I start feeling pain again. I am on pain pills so activity helps with residual pain.

So what should I do next? Clean bathrooms or clean out refrigerator?

Doesn't it help if the activity is enjoyable? I take pain medicine so I can get things done. The past few days have been very demanding, we had a party for my grandson's christening yesterday, and there was a lot of cleaning and preparation. I took two Percosets per day instead of my usual one, and overdid it. I plan on resting for the next few days, my legs hurt much more than usual.
I am a little depressed. I should, at 50, be at the height of my domestic skills, able to entertain, cook, bake, and serve with consummate ability. Instead I find that a seriously scaled back party, I only made the cake and cleaned, wipes me out. Only last year I made my daughter's wedding gown and did all the cooking for her wedding reception which was at home, including making the wedding cake. It was exhausting, but I could never do so much again and I am sad about losing so much ground.

Enough of my venting, though. Do you find cleaning bathrooms satisfying? Baking is creative and so another creative project might be better. Do you do any needlework or crafts? I find that a new project provides a lot of distraction, even though I work more slowly that I used to. Video games can be very absorbing as well! And there is always the Internet!
Learning about new things has always been the best distraction for me. If cooking is your thing get a bunch of cookbooks on off-beat nutritional theories and see if any ideas resonate with you. Aryuveda, Paleo, Superfoods, etc. Just having something new to think about is exciting and distracting.
Cleaning closets and de-cluttering is more of a creative endeavor. Check out minimalist and simple living blogs and books for inspiration.

I agree with Susanne that if you enjoy what you are doing, it will distract a little from the pain. I do gardening. It is something that I really love. When I tend to my plants, it seems, time flies so fast. But, with my recent lung problems, the shortened version of gardening has even become more shortened.

It was only 2 years ago, when I can do beadings. I make necklaces, earrings, bracelets with beads. It was a hobby and and it was a good gift to friends because you can customized the accessories to their personalities. A few of my works were featured in one of the craft magazines in our country. But, even that, I could not do because of the osteoarthritis in my fingers.

I need to adjust to the changes in my body.

Hiking and running
 

Hiking is my number one distraction and running second. I like yard work and can do it as long as I'm not standing still but continually moving about. Yes I know that sounds counter protective and it can be. Standing in any line is my biggest nemisis. Just thinking about it makes my blood pressure go up.

Basically, anything that distracts and/or engages/focuses the mind; the more intense the concentration/focus, the more distracting from pain (and other symptoms, for that matter). Interactive activities/distractions work better than passive ones, and those that elicit joy/enjoyment/satisfaction (e.g. creative outlets) work best of all.

It's been argued that keeping the mind distracted/focused/occupied doesn't actually reduce pain, but keeps one from thinking about it/dwelling on it. I say, what difference does it make? If it works, it works.

Doc

Its strange but when I walk, not "power walking", the pain in my feet and legs is tolerable but when I stand still, the pain is bad. In the morning, when I wake up and my feet are painful, I dont feel like walking. But I have to discipline myself to do the slow walking and once I start walking, the pain becomes tolerable.

The pain in my feet and legs is even noticeable when I am doing the stationary recumbent bicycle. I dont know how to explain this because walking should be more painful as your weight is in your feet and legs while pedalling in a stationary recumbent bike relieves your feet from the weight.

I think the bending of the ankle stresses the nerves more when
using bikes. It does for me at least. My left with the scar/damage is more sensitive to it.

I know exactly what your talking about, strange isn't it. Every morning I sit on the side of my bed and go through this routine of calve stretches and ankle rotations before I can stand. I then stand, curl my toes as far down as I can so only my heels and toes are holding my weight and then I slowly take one step at a time. In about 2 hours I'm walking pretty normal. Standing is just painful period! I've had the tendons in my ankle released in a effort to help with the pain but I have no idea if it helped since I don't know if would of been worse if I wouldn't of done it.

mrsD I totally agree! Swelling for me is my biggest concern. If I can keep my weight to my ideal BMI, keep the swelling in my ankles/feet down plus keep diet soda to zero the pain is so much less!

What ever you want to call it, distraction or separation, I strongly believe that pain and discomfort can not be our only focus even though we face it continually. At first it was for me, but I have resumed my passion for outdoor activities (have altered a few). Once I get moving I forget that my feet are numb and though I can't hike 20 miles I can probably do 3 or 4. I have other interests and passions that keep my mind active. I check this forum very often but I also go on other forums according to interests that have nothing to do with medical stuff. I hope the summer weather is benefitting everyone. So far it's working for me. (Or is it the supplements)lol! I'm hiking in a rocky creek bed tonight. I wouldn't recommend it, but it really helps to keep me coordinated. :D

I call it retail therapy. I was at Kohl's looking at shoes. Then I realized time had gone by and I hadn't thought about pain. If I were not on pain pills I don't think anything would distract me. I do have quite bit of pain. I feel like this is a heavy weight on my thigh. Sometimes I even feels the bed covers on me.

http://www.futurity.org/health-medic...brains-memory/
http://www.futurity.org/health-medic...hts-elsewhere/

Two articles two read. They are stating what we already know. Taking your mind off pain will help. I can't find the article but I read somewhere that they did a study on people with chronic pain and made half do math problems and other half do regular activities. The one that solved the math problems had a local pain score. The explanation is that the brain has a hard time processing pain signals while multitasking.

Think of it like driving a car and talking on the phone. Your brain can’t give full attention to the road.
This is a perfect example.




http://www.futurity.org/science-tech...while-driving/

Hello, about distraction
 

Yes! distraction works alot of time. If I can get to a "just OK" in pain levels, everything from the dishes, to a good book helps me to cope. I also investigate new music on line that is so weird it takes you to other locations around the world. Try Tuvan thoat singing for example, your amazement will surely take your mind of just about anything. I do all I can to get my mind off the pain. It is not always so successful, but it is alot of the time. Get involved with as much as you can. I wish all of you in pain, all my best. I am glad we have NT to come to. ginnie:hug: