When it comes to managing chronic pain, the words “ownership,” “action,” and “consistency” are key. It may be tempting to simply rely on medication or wait for a miracle cure but taking ownership of your own health means acknowledging that you have the power to make positive changes. This mindset shift is just the first step in creating lasting change.
Read on if you’re ready to learn more about The Pain Free For Life Mindset and how you can put it into action!
Claiming Ownership Over Your Pain (Without it Owning YOU)
In our society, we are taught to believe that pain is something that happens TO us. We see it as something outside of ourselves that we have little control over. This belief leads us to feel like victims of our pain. But this just isn’t so.
The first step to controlling your pain is to understand that you are the only one who can change how you feel. Only you have the power to change your mindset and take action to improve your situation. It may not be easy, but it is possible.
“Ownership” is the main word here. You must take ownership of your pain and your recovery. This means accepting that your pain is real and that it is up to you to do something about it. It sounds simple, but this shift in mindset can be very powerful. It’s often the first step to long-term pain resolution.
When facing chronic pain or illness, it can be easy to allow it to consume your life and define you as a person. However, taking ownership of your pain doesn’t mean giving it power over your identity.
Instead, it means accepting that you have some level of control over your experience and taking steps to manage it in a way that improves your quality of life.
This may involve:
- Seeking medical treatment
- Practicing self-care (however that may look for you)
- Finding healthy coping mechanisms
- Trying something new and innovative (like the best at-home microcurrent devices for chronic pain).
It also means asking for support and advocating for yourself in situations where needed. That’s why we created our fantastic Pain Free For Life Support Group!Remember, you are not just a person fighting an illness; you are a multifaceted individual with interests, talents, and dreams that deserve attention and nurturing. Take ownership of your pain without letting it become your identity. You are more than just the challenges you may face.
Need help getting started?Our blog, “Mentally Coping with Chronic Pain: Simple Tips for Staying on Track,” offers some helpful tips for managing the mental strain of chronic pain.
Just Say “No” to Toxic Positivity
There is a difference between having a positive mindset and toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is when people try to ignore their negative emotions. This can lead to more stress on the body. Having a positive mindset means accepting that negative thoughts and feelings are happening but healthily living with them. This can help relieve symptoms of chronic pain.
Learn how in the Research Spotlight below!
A 2005 study by the University of California, Department of Psychiatry, in conjunction with the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University, compared the effects of suppressing and accepting emotions on people with anxiety and mood disorders.
Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group listened to a rationale for suppressing emotions, and the other listened to a justification for accepting emotions. Participants then watched an emotion-provoking film and applied the instructions.
THE RESULTS:
Subjective distress, heart rate, skin conductance level, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were measured before, during, and after the film. Although both groups said they felt similar distress during the film, the group who accepted what was happening displayed fewer negative emotions after the film.
What does this mean?
If you learn to process your emotions (even the ones related to your chronic pain), you will experience less emotional distress.
Act on Resolving Your Chronic Pain Each Day
Once you have taken ownership of your pain, it is time to act. This does not mean immediately pushing yourself beyond your limits. Instead, it means taking small steps each day to improve your situation.
Maybe today, you engage in gentle exercise for 20 minutes instead of 10. Or perhaps you will try to avoid inflammation flare-up foods like red meat. Maybe you’ll commit to daily microcurrent treatment. Whatever it is, just make sure you are taking some form of action every day, even if it’s just reaching out to your support group for a quick boost of motivation.
One problem many people face is not knowing where to start. They often become overwhelmed by all the information out there and end up doing nothing at all. If this sounds familiar, there are a few resources I recommend checking out.
- The Pain Free For Life Podcast: The Mind Body Connection And Chronic Pain With Anna Holtzman
- The Pain Free For Life Podcast: Mental Health and its Connection to Chronic pain and Chronic Disease
Pour some relaxing herbal tea, kick your feet up and enjoy these exciting episodes. They’ll help you better understand how the Pain Free For Life Mindset can revolutionize your healing.
Videos more your thing? In that case, you’ll love this one Dr.Rob recorded for you below.
Consistency Over Perfection
One last thing we want to mention is the importance of consistency over perfectionism. The goal here is not to be perfect; the goal is simply to keep moving forward each day. There will be setbacks, and there will be days when you don’t feel like doing anything at all – that’s normal! Just don’t let those days derail your progress altogether. Get back on track as soon as possible and keep going until YOU decide YOU want to stop. Remember, YOU are in control!
The holidays can be challenging for those managing chronic pain, with all the stress and potential triggers surrounding us. It’s important to remember that perfectionism is not the goal here. Instead, the focus should be on consistency.
Don’t wait for a New Year’s resolution before you decide to refocus on your health.
Keep in mind that we are in control of our own journeys and decisions. And even if we do slip up or fall off track, it’s never too late to start again. Taking small daily steps towards self-care can make a big difference in managing chronic pain during the holidays and beyond.
I gathered some helpful resources to help you have a pain-free holiday season in 2022.
Please review the below:
- Enjoy Holiday Flavors Without Triggering Inflammation
- Our 5 Best Tips to Relieve Holiday Stress
- Microcurrent Gift Guide: Scalar Energy Healing & More!
- 7 Health Benefits of Giving Back This Holiday Season
A Pain-free Life is Built One Day at a Time
There’s no doubt that mindset plays a crucial role in managing pain, both emotional and physical. But remember, it all starts with taking ownership of your pain and deciding that YOU will do something about it. From there, focus on taking action each day, even if it’s just something small. And finally, be consistent with your efforts. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a pain-free life! So, keep going, even when things get tough.
If you’re new to holistic healing with microcurrent therapy or unsure where to start, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation today. On your call, you will speak with one of our talented and compassionate Microcurrent Specialists to determine which microcurrent device suits you and your next best steps.
Sources cited:
There’s Nothing Positive About Toxic Positivity | Psychology Today
The Power of Mindset Science for Pain Relief and Health | Psychology Today
