Back Away from the Edge

Monitoring your internal state is very important when you have chronic pain. You may be able to push yourself beyond realistic limits. This can happen as you try to meet obligations, or simply live a 'normal' life. While the body keeps going, the pain is taking its toll. You may suddenly find yourself hitting a wall. Exhaustion sets in and dealing with even the simplest issue seems beyond your capabilities.

Pushing yourself to this extent may result in a physical setback. It most certainly can result in an emotional setback. Not only may you harm your relationships while in this exhausted state, you may also face the emotional fallout of realizing, once again, that you cannot do all that you wish to do, or may have been able to do in the past.

Your best strategy here is to learn to recognize the signs that pop up as you approach the edge. This strategy prevents you from going over it. While there are obvious signs once you're over the edge, there are signs as you approach it. They are usually more subtle, but with practice you can learn to recognize them. Some of the signs may be: 1) an increased pain level 2) pain in more widespread areas 3) frazzled nerves 4) fraying temper 5) increasing annoyance at things that you normally handle with skill 6) increasing frustration with others. It doesn't matter whether outside factors induce some of these signs. If we find ourselves in such a place, we need to back up whether we got there under our own steam or others contributed.

Backing away from the edge can be a simple process. Deep breathing, increased rest, slowing our pace,  pausing and thinking before we react all serve to slow us down. In slowing down we give ourselves a break. At this point, you can begin to think about how much of a break you need to ensure that you greet the day feeling refreshed and happy. Take time to do this. This approach is so much better than coming to a crashing halt. Manage your state so that you maintain your equanimity regardless of what happens around you. Acknowledge that having chronic pain requires you to pay attention. The benefit here is that the positive state you achieve will not only be good for you, but those around you as well.