Staying Positive

                 Staying Positive Despite Fibromyalgia Pain:



        Okay, first things first stop laughing. I know first hand just how hard staying positive is with Fibromyalgia,but I am always looking for new ways to cope with this monster.
           
                       

Here are five steps you can take to achieve a more positive mood and help you to overcome some of the obstacles you might be facing:

1. Exercise. This recommendation tops the list as a way to feel better, so make a plan to get moving. "Stretching combined with low-intensity resistance and aerobic exercise can decrease pain and improve energy level, sleep quality, mood, and stiffness," says Dr. Boomershine.
   
   If you haven't been physically active for some time, Boomershine suggests getting your doctor's okay first. After that, you can follow a program that he recommends or develop your own. Boomershine's regimen begins with gentle stretches every morning when you wake up. Once you become accustomed to that routine, add resistance exercise three times a week, using a resistance band. Then you can add low-impact aerobics (like walking or water aerobics) three times a week on the other days.
   
   "To avoid worsening fatigue, patients should exercise at a moderate pace and start with 5 or 10 minutes of exercise a day, gradually working up to 30 minutes per day," advises Boomershine. You might want to work with a physical therapist specializing in fibromyalgia or chronic pain to get back in motion if you need more direct assistance.
2. Manage stress.Managing stress can help control fibromyalgia symptoms and prevent flares. Exercise is one way to reduce stress, but you can also try meditation and using other tools, such as journaling. Good self-care, including a healthy diet and making time for sleep, is also important.
3. Join a support group. You might get a boost from time spent with other patients who can share their tips for coping with fibromyalgia symptoms, and offer both emotional and social support. Good company has the added benefit of reducing stress. Look around for a group that you feel comfortable with or start your own. Boomershine recommends the National Fibromyalgia Association as a source for support.
4. Get a massage. Consider this permission to indulge. Any massage can help you relax and feel more comfortable in your body, but Boomershine strongly recommends myofascial release, a form of soft-tissue massage that works on the fascia (connective tissues that surround the muscles).
5. Work with your doctor. Pain management is crucial to improving your mood and outlook. "There are now three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for managing fibromyalgia," notes Boomershine. If your current healthcare provider seems not to take your concerns seriously, shop around for one who will work with you to achieve your best level of pain management. Ask your doctor to evaluate and treat conditions you may have that can mimic or worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormone imbalances, psychiatric conditions, and sleep disorders. 

              

                Good luck!

                Until next time God bless,