New Year, New Goals

RESOLUTION: DEAL WITH YOUR CHRONIC PAIN THIS NEW YEAR
by Barby Ingle

New year new goals for living with chronic pain, New Year’s is the perfect time to make a few simple changes to increase positive daily living. Below Barby Ingle, explores tips for 2017 resolutions when you are the one in three Americans living in pain.

1. Walk at least several times weekly. – Regular, low impact aerobic exercise reduces inflammation, strengthens your muscles and provides expedited healing by sending oxygen-rich blood through out your body. Depending on your individual level of fitness, you may want to start out walking only a few minutes at a time, and gradually—over a period of several weeks and maybe even months— try to walk for at least 30 minutes at least 3 or 4 times.
2. Get at least eight hours of sleep each 24 hour period. – Studies show as many as 66% of individuals with chronic pain are also living with sleep disorders. Each person will have their own personal preferences to fall asleep, and there is no one right method for everyone.
3. Quit – smoking, slouching, eating poorly.
4. Drink more – ‘cold’ water. This helps with blood pressure, heart health, kidney health, losing weight and improvement in overall health.

Try adding at least one of these to your list of 2017 resolutions.