How do you support yourself during the flare?
Often I am very hard on myself during a flare. I realize now that I shouldn't be. I need to be kind to myself and my body. I need to do things to help me.
What do you do to help yourself through a flare-up?
Ali (Community Member)
and all, thank you for this interesting exchange on flares! it's great to read how everyone is handling those.
Even if I feel prepared, having my flare kit ready, for a flare that could come at anytime, it still throws me off a bit when it happens. I think the main thing I need to focus on when I get a flare is my mental health. If I am balanced and relatively ok in my head, then I can manage the physical and deal with symptoms better. It also makes me more patient if my mood is at the right place, and I make sure I keep doing things which makes me feel happy and light so the burden of the flare is less heavy.
I really reduce what I am doing and focus on rest and light exercise. I make sure to use my heating pad and take CBD for the pain. I usually feel quite sad and anxious during flare-ups so I try to do things that usually cheer me up.
I’m still learning to listen to my body and recognize when I’m having a flare. I practice lots of self-care: hot bath with epsom salt soak, focus on small things I’m grateful for, deep breathing, and getting sunlight. I try to focus on things I can control and look forward to an upcoming event.
I think that is a very positive way of thinking and on what you are doing. I am trying to do the same on focusing on a better lifestyle. I need to work on more consistency. One day at a time. Hope you had a good day today.
Nicky (community member)I am sorry you had to go through Covid. I know the feeling as I passed it through last August/September. It was horrible. Everything you mentioned was one of the symptoms. My husband got it as well, but he recovered luckily very fast. I was different. It took a longer. I am wishing a speedy recovery and hope you feel better soon. Sending you some warm hugs your way.
Nicky (community member)
Yesterday, I cancelled my clients, spent most of the day in bed with heating pads, did intermittent low range of motion stretches, tried reading for a bit, wondered why my hands, thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders and knees were giving me a fit - not to mention cervical and lumbar pain. Oh, and I engaged in a mindfulness meditation exercise - focused on allowing the pain, offering compassion to self (May I be happy, May I be healthy, May I be at peace, May I be self-compassionate) and other (I chose my hubby!).
I am glad that you listened to your body and you allowed yourself to rest!
I have just started mindfulness and meditation, it truly is amazing.
Do you do it yourself or follow along to a video? Currently, I am using the Calm app and find it very helpful.
Ali (Community Member)
I hope that the mindfulness exercise was helpful,
. I think they are a great way to practice coping and coming to terms with pain that we can't control. We may not be able to control whether we experience pain, but what we can control is how we react to it. Easier said than done, that's for sure. Wishing you well, - Cody (Team Member)
