4 Stress Management and Coping Techniques for Fibromyalgia

If you are suffering from fibromyalgia, you’re not only dealing with pain regularly, but you’re also dealing with high levels of stress. Unfortunately, stress levels can heighten your other symptoms, making it difficult to get through the day. Good, effective stress management techniques can help cut down on your stress and, thus, help you better control your other fibromyalgia-related problems.

Exercise

While exercise itself may or may not help your symptoms overall, it’s important to understand that good exercise can help you manage your stress better. Some of the most effective stress relief exercises for those with fibromyalgia include simply taking a walk or going for a run. Other helpful exercises include yoga, running, and Pilates. Fibromyalgia pain and fatigue prevent many from getting the exercise they need, but these workouts can help you feel like you have better control over your life and, in some cases, help relieve the pain you experience.

Relaxation Therapy

There are several different types of relaxation therapy, and any of them can help relieve stress due to fibromyalgia. With relaxation therapy, the goal is to relax both the body and the mind. This is difficult when you’re suffering from fibromyalgia, but when it works relaxation therapy is an effective stress relief tool. One of the most common forms of relaxation therapy is meditation. More people are using coloring as a relaxation therapy technique. When you’re working to get rid of the pain and anxiety of fibromyalgia, taking the time for relaxation therapy is a crucial step.

Journaling

Many people who suffer from chronic pain disorders find that journaling is a very effective way of dealing with the stress in their daily lives. Whether you journal about your day or specifically about the symptoms you’re dealing with, this allows you to acknowledge your stress and let go of it. There are many journaling options, from traditional pen and paper to keeping an online journal. You can even get journaling apps for your phone or other mobile device, allowing you to journal on the go. This gives you the flexibility to keep up with it, even with a busy lifestyle.

Taking a Bath or Shower

Taking a warm bath or shower can help relieve some of the pain you deal with due to fibromyalgia. It also has a calming effect that helps relieve stress. When sitting in a bath or taking a shower, you can relax tense and sore muscles. In addition, the warm, moist heat helps increase endorphin levels. With increased endorphins, you can more easily and effectively let go of the stress you’re dealing with. A warm bath before bedtime can even help you sleep better.

Dealing with fibromyalgia is stressful. You deal with chronic pain throughout the day, on top of normal life stresses. Furthermore, many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from anxiety or depression, which adds to stress levels. Understanding how to manage your stress can help cut down on your symptoms and improve your quality of life.