Hello all,

I wanted to ask everyone about things they have found helpful in managing pain on a daily basis. I'm not asking about medications or therapeutic remedies offered by our doctors or PM's; what I am really asking about is what have you found helpful in your own journey to fight back the pain & promote mental health? I thought maybe this might be helpful for all of us in case there are things we just hadn't thought about.

I'll start it off by offering what is helpful to me: Upbeat music while riding my indoor recumbent for exercise.. my current favorite station on Pandora is "Athleta Power to the she" during my ride.

Next up..

My pets. I have two rescue dogs and a cat. They give me a reason to get out of bed in the morning so that I can feed them, let them out and play with them. And today I took my dogs for a short walk with me (one at a time). I also like watching football with my husband (and son when he comes to visit us), when my team's not loosing. (That would exclude today.)lol.

I am so proud of you for getting out!!!

Not once but twice.. . Did it boost your spirits?

Thanks Tessa. You gave me the inspiration to do it. It wasn't easy, because I'm so out of shape, but it did indeed boost my spirits. Mentally and physically. Thanks again for the support and great advice! And congrats on the Seahawks awesome game today! (at least one of our teams still remembers how to play football) lol. I hope you have a good night.
P.S. You rock too!

My piano and cello

Also takes me away from my place and time just that little bit - it's always better, for a little while at least...

"If music be the food of love, play on..."
William Shakespeare. King of Quotes.

Bram.

My sons brats abd books

Oh Bram.. you made my day!! I just signed up to start Piano lessons next week, I am so excited! I decided learning to play the piano would be a great way to distract myself

Have you played since you were a youngster?

And the Cello.. wow!

My pets too help me a great deal they always seem to know how to find a way to make me smile even when I am hurting so bad. One of my dogs actually knows before hand when Iam going into a flare or if my oxygeon is dropping before I do, she starts getting sick so then I know to check my vitals and know somthings wrong. I also love art and try to keep my hands busy, I was a pastry chef so I like making edible flowers and doing paintings, sewing ect. Then I do alot of puzzles whether regular puzzles or word games just to keep my mind going.

Alaska49,

It is amazing how much joy our furry friends can bring us! I have 2 dogs myself and like you, I smile and sometimes even giggle at the silly things they do. So glad yours alert you to pending trouble - that is awesome!!

My husband and I also started doing puzzles together. We have a designated table set up with one we are working on, this makes it easy to stop at any time and put a few pieces in. For me it is a great distraction even if only for a few minutes when pain is skyrocketing!

mmmm pastry chef.. oh my goodness you can come for a visit to Seattle anytime!

Thank you for taking the time to share - I have a few more ideas of things I can try now.

Have a great day!
Tessa

Lol zook, I am so pleased you are going to start learning the piano! That's an amazing choice to make - you won't regret it

I've played since I was young, but without any lessons or training so I've not reached any cosmic level. It's my bolthole, my sanctuary, and my saving on many occasions. Music really can soothe your soul. And if you are making it, no matter what the level, it is always powerful and magical.

Initially the exercises will probably seem a little repetitive if you haven't played before, but try to see them as a kind of physio for your pain - I still do scales and arpeggios as finger/hand exercises, and that repetition allows you to lose yourself in them. I find that brilliant pain relief.

Let me know how you get on with your first lesson - it'll be great to hear your reaction to it! I hope you fall in love and lose your heart a little to it...

Do you have your own piano? If not, try to get one ASAP - you can get a second-hand (pre-loved ) one for the cost of transporting the thing. A real wooden piano is an incredible friend to have...

Interestingly, I am about to have my first ever formal cello lesson next weekend! I've had my cello (Edward ) for years, but only got back into playing him again this year, and I want to have a grade certificate in case my left arm continues its involvement in the CRPS dance....

New things are always good I think. They involve your brain and emotions so much that it pushes your pain away just a bit. Sounds like a deal to me

Good luck,

Bram.