Tips On Minimizing Chronic Pain At Home
Written by Brad Krause
Living with chronic pain or a chronic illness can be overwhelming when it comes to taking care of a home and family, so it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with your pain and learn how to work them into your daily life at home. This can include practicing self-care and making small changes around your home to create a healthier atmosphere.
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Here are some of the best ways to minimize your chronic pain and make taking care of your home much easier.
Get some housekeeping help
No one can do everything, and on the worst days, it may seem like you have a thousand impossible tasks lined up to take care of. Being in constant pain can make even the smallest chores seem huge, so consider hiring a housekeeping service or a housekeeper to come in a few times a week and take care of the heavier chores. Washing dishes, vacuuming, and cleaning high spaces can all take a toll on a person who is living with chronic pain, so stick to the lighter chores and hire a housekeeper to do the rest.
Watch those allergies
If you suffer from chronic allergies, it’s important to make some changes to the items you use most often in your home. For instance, make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter to suck up all the allergens and pet hair/dander and clean up any clutter such as piles of blankets or clothing, which can attract and hold dust mites.
It’s also a good idea to wash your sheets, towels, and bath mats once a week in hot water to keep mold from forming and be sure to sweep your front porch or patio well every day to keep pollen, dust, and debris from being tracked into your home. Let’s admit it. When was the last time your home, carpets, and even furniture, had a deep cleaning. Hiring “furniture cleaners near me” using ANGI to compare trusted professionals and how people rated their services, you can have a thoroughly clean home, cutting back on allergens and giving you a fresh start.
Practice self-care
Coping with chronic pain is a daily job, so it’s important to make changes that you can implement easily into your regular schedule. Daily exercise is a must for just about anyone with a chronic condition, so talk to your doctor and about the best ways to work out.
Trying new things--such as yoga and meditation--can be extremely helpful as well, as no one treatment works for everyone. Meditation can be a wonderful addition to your daily routine as it involves mindfulness, which can help you learn to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future.
Reduce stress
Reducing stress is an important part of getting healthy, so find ways to relax each day. If you feel your workload is too big, delegate some responsibility around the house to family members, or ask for help from a co-worker. Better yet, consider looking into virtual assistant services to take care of some of the tedious tasks you don't have the time or energy for. Hiring a virtual assistant can take care of those overwhelming assignments in your personal or business life. This gives you more time to rest and relax, alleviating some of your chronic pain.
Treat yourself to a massage or pedicure now and then, and cut out alcohol and cigarettes if you find yourself using them excessively.
Consider therapy
Many individuals living with chronic pain or illness suffer from depression and often wonder why they have to suffer when millions of others don’t. This is totally normal, but it’s important to seek help from a therapist or counselor if those feelings become overwhelming. Talk to your doctor about a recommendation.
Ask for support
It’s important to have the support of family members when you’re going through chronic pain or illness, so talk to your loved ones about what you’re going through and ask for their love and understanding during this difficult time. Let them know what you need, and don’t be afraid to reach out when you’re feeling low. Living with this sort of daily struggle can be tough mentally and emotionally as well, so it’s imperative that you find healthy ways to cope.
Remember to keep your expectations reasonable. Chronic pain and illness can be frustrating to deal with, but with some planning and a little help, you can find ways to make your life easier.