The holidays give you the chance to spend time with your loved ones

If you live with pain, you already know how challenging it can be to perform simple everyday chores and functions. The thought of adding all the holiday “stuff” to it can be truly daunting, and it can put a damper on what may otherwise be a season of delights.

If you are a pain sufferer who understands these feelings all too well, read on for 6 useful holiday tips that we hope will help bring a smile to your face (and less pain in your body) for a more enjoyable holiday season.

• Start Early

Time flies — and before you know it, you have too much to do in too little time. This can mean over-exerting yourself to catch up and causes undue stress that can take its toll on your body.

• Share the load

A lot of people try to do it all themselves, but the holidays are meant to be a family affair! So don’t be afraid to share the workload. For parties, consider going potluck. For the main event, share cooking responsibilities by assigning someone to each dish

• Take Breaks Often

Pushing yourself is one of the worst things that you can do. If you try to follow the same routine you did before struggling with chronic pain, don’t be surprised if you experience even more pain. 

Keep to normal routines

Keeping a routine is tough during the holidays, as many of the touchstones are gone. You may be off work, the kids are home, and there could be family staying with you – everything is all over the place! But sticking to your usual, tried-and-tested routines will never matter more.

• Enjoy yourself

With all this talk about “coping” and “managing” and “chores,” it can be easy to forget the holidays are supposed to be a time of fun. So don’t forget to have some! Make time for yourself and what you enjoy, even if it means saying no to someone else. 

• Don’t Forget to Take Care of YOU

Yes, this may sound like an impossible goal when you have a flurry of seasonal festivities disrupting your normal schedule, but it’s imperative that you still make time for self-care if you want to enjoy your time more fully. 

• Follow Doctor’s Orders

If you’re in the care of a pain doctor, remember to stay on track with your prescribed medications and/or treatment schedules. Skipping parts of your pain management regimen can diminish any progress you’ve made and cause you more discomfort.