Remember:
- Pain can be treated
- Pain can go away
- You can do it!
If the exercises on the previous pages did not work, you might also want to try:
Distracting Yourself:
- Go through some old things in the closet and organize them
- Read a favorite book that you have not read in a while
- Look through pictures or think back to a vacation you went on and try to remember the most fun thing you did there
Changing Your Environment:
- Adjust the temperature—open a window, get out of the sun, go outside, or maybe cover up with a blanket
- Clear the space, organize clutter that may be bothering you
- Adjust the lighting, make it a little darker or a little brighter—open the curtains, close the curtains, turn on or off lights
Laughing and Having Fun:
- Sometimes when we hurt we stop doing fun things. Think about when you felt good and you did fun things. By doing those fun things again you can help yourself feel BETTER. Feeling better is what pain management is ALL about.
- Tell a joke to someone!
Staying Active:
- When you aren’t doing anything you will probably think of your pain more, which will make it seem worse. So get moving!
- Try stretching or yoga, or go for a walk around the block if you’re able