Holiday Tips to Limit Pain Flair Ups
The holiday season is typically a time of joy and celebration, but for those struggling with chronic pain, it can feel like the exact opposite. Activities such as shopping for gifts, cooking big meals, entertaining guests or traveling to see family adds strain to our bodies which causes pain to feel worse.
The pain doctors in Asheville NC at the Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas are here to help you be free from pain. Read on to get our tips for a happy holiday season in spite of chronic pain. Here are some pain management techniques to reduce your risk of pain flare-ups and get you through the holidays with less pain!
Stay Healthy
With all the holiday parties this time of year, it’s easy to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as eating and drinking too much, staying up late or not exercising. Unhealthy actions have a direct impact on pain and can make your holiday season miserable. Here are a few healthy habits to keep in mind:
Eat well
Avoid alcohol
Stay hydrated
Get your flu shot
Wash your hands frequently
Get enough rest
Manage Stress
One of the most important tips during the holidays is to be good to yourself! Focus on self-care and limit the stress you take on. Added stress and anxiety can increase pain levels so don’t overexert yourself. Ask family and friends to help with holiday preparation and try to enjoy the season with the ones you love.
Routine
Family gatherings, work outings, parties—the holidays can wreak havoc on keeping any kind of daily routine. While you should partake in as many festive celebrations as you want, it’s important to stick to your schedule as much as possible. Keeping a routine will help you to manage your pain and improve your comfort throughout the season.
Set an alarm on your phone to ensure you take your medication on time
Continue to follow your pain doctor’s advice for pain management
Make sure you have enough medication throughout your travels
Stick to your sleep and exercise schedules
Ask for Support
Surround yourself with supportive people and take time to reconnect with your family and friends. It’s important to not only talk to your family about your limitations when it comes to pain but be honest about what you are going through. There is often too much to do over the holidays and it’s okay to reach out for help. Ask for support from those around you and your pain doctors in Asheville NC. We are here for you!
Pain Doctors in Asheville NC
Your friends at the Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! Don’t let your chronic pain go untreated for another day, give us a call.
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
Disclaimer: You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider before beginning any exercise program. The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship. Comments that you post will be shared with all visitors to this page. All comments are not governed by HIPAA and you should not post any private health information.