subject: Slowing Down In Five Easy Steps [print this page] It is terribly for us to slow down, given our busy lifestyles and our culture that almost never sleeps. However, when we have a chronic illness, we must slow down otherwise we feel more pain and will have increased disability over time.
Many people who are newly diagnosed with arthritis feel that they cant do things differently. To do so arthritis sufferers feel that they have to admit defeat somehow. But this is far from the truth. If an arthritis sufferer doesnt slow down, she will be defeated because of more frustration, disability and stress. So, arthritis sufferers MUST slow down.
Here are five easy steps to slow down and de-stress at the same time.
1. Leave earlier to an appointment. There is nothing worse than running late when movement and mobility are difficult. This takes a bit of planning but it is worth it. We all do it from time to time, arriving at our appointment stressed out and in more pain than ever.
2. Dont cram too much into an allotted time. Instead of always doing too much, lighten the load a bit by doing a bit less. We dont have to stop doing what we need to, but we do have to pace ourselves in order not to experience as much pain and discomfort.
3. Dont multi-task. Instead, do one thing at a time. Plan tasks that need to be done ahead of time, and do them one at a time. Give yourself a small reward for completing your difficult tasks for a job well done. The more you do at the same time, the more stress you cause yourself, and the more pain you have as a result.
4. Schedule rest periods throughout the day. Any individual who suffers from arthritis should not do any activity without taking ample breaks. During these breaks, we can stretch, take a walk, have a piece of fruit, or just lie down. Any of these breaks can rejuvenate the arthritis sufferer after doing a task or two.
5. Dont move too quickly if in pain. Instead, we should listen to our bodies and allow it to be a barometer for activity. If we are in pain, we should move slower. If were not in as much pain, we should move with a bit of speed, but still not too much so that we dont feel exhausted at the end. By learning to not move too quickly, the arthritis sufferer can spare themselves a lot of pain and hardship.
So, as we can see, slowing down isnt difficult. It takes some discipline, practise, and a lot of self-love. But it is can be done by pacing ourselves and planning ahead.
