The Dos and Don’ts of Living With Chronic Pain After an Accident
When an accident or injury leaves you with a chronic pain diagnosis, it can change your life forever. You may not be able to do the same things you could before, and you may have to make certain lifestyle changes to support your new normal. If you want to remain healthy and comfortable as you manage chronic pain, there are some things you should be doing and others you should stop doing right away.
Do Watch What You Eat
Chronic pain is a result of inflammation in the body, and according to medical doctors, an unhealthy diet is as dangerous to the immune system as a bacterial infection. It’s important to eat a variety of foods with high nutritional value, and limit heavily processed junk food. To feel your best every day, try to balance your plate with:
- Healthy proteins (poultry, beans, or fish)
- Whole grains (brown rice, whole-wheat bread)
- Fruits and vegetables
Do Change Careers
If your current job is too hard on your body after your injury, and you’re stuck in a place with no accommodation or advancement opportunities, then it may be time to pursue something else. However, you shouldn’t think of this as life kicking you in the teeth again. This is your chance to chase your career dream. Reentering the job market is easier than you think with free online tools for resume building. A free resume builder you can use will have the perfect template from a library and customize it with your copy, colors, and photos to showcase your skills and personality to hiring managers.
Do Prioritize Self-Care
Many people practice self-care to mitigate mental and emotional stress in their daily lives. When you’re living with chronic pain from an injury or illness, it’s even more important to implement a self-focused relaxation routine. The following self-care activities are proactive approaches to maintaining your mind and body health while dealing with a lingering condition:
- Download a guided meditation app
- Start a new hobby
- Spend time in nature
Don’t Stop Working Out
When you live with pain all day every day, the last thing you want to do is make it worse by hitting the gym. You may feel like the only way to feel better is to lie in bed and stay as still as possible but in fact, that’s probably the worst action you could take. Movement is essential to strengthening your body. While you shouldn’t sign up for any mud runs right away, starting small and following directions from your physical therapist are great ways to manage your chronic pain.
Don’t Hold on to Toxic Relationships
Trauma changes you, and it changes those around you. You may recognize that some members of your circle become less supportive as time goes on, not understanding that even though you’re up and walking, you still suffer from your injuries. You may hear them say awful things like “just get over it” or “it’s all in your head,” but you can’t let their negativity impact your recovery. Instead, surround yourself with caring and supportive individuals who are ready and willing to listen.
Consistency is key to living with chronic pain. When you establish a healthy routine, you can sustain your health and slow the degenerative nature of the chronic disease. There may not be a definitive cure for your condition, but your choices each day can dictate how much power your pain has over your life.
By Phillip Carr
Published by International Pain Foundation
