With the holiday season soon to be upon us, it’s important to remember that for those suffering from Fibromyalgia or other chronic pain syndromes, this time of year can be particularly challenging. However, by giving yourself the gift of understanding, you can better manage your response to seasonal stress and social demands, and make the most of your time and energy.
Often coping just daily can be a challenge; add to that regular routine the “Holiday” season (Thanksgiving, Xmas, Yule, Hanukkah, etc.), and the chances of ‘decompensation’ is a real possibility! BTW, Holiday is in quotes as not everyone chooses to celebrate in the same way, and I want everyone to feel included in knowing that at this time of year, either you are trying to get through a barrage of family visits or are trying to cope with the transient changes to your regular routine as the rest of the world has a ‘holiday’ and you are therefore required to adapt to others’ habits. Here are some things to consider going into the ‘holiday’ season.
Know your limits and say NO if you have to! At the very least, acknowledge your feelings and don’t be afraid to let others know.
Everyone has some fundamental truths that they hold dear… For myself? I love to cook and host family meals, but hosting them or special occasions gets harder and harder. In part because of the mental and physical effort required and my tolerance can fluctuate daily (OK, I admit it…sometimes hour to hour!!) but also because my energy level can make me the biggest buzz-kill to any get-together! Therefore, I restrict gatherings to small numbers or suggest a pot-luck-style event elsewhere (sometimes ensuring my tiny apartment is clear of hairs from 2 dogs and 2 cats can be almost an impossible and very stressful task). Alternatively, I set out to plan a nice meal for myself specifically meant to generate a festive spirit that can be prepared without exhausting me and that I can also enjoy and feel enriched by the experience, not drained by it. (Stay tuned for an upcoming post on cooking for one!!) I also consider ordering in a turkey/chicken thanksgiving themed meal to be really kind to myself 🙂
Be ‘mindful’ of how the demands of the season can affect your coping ability. I cannot speak for anyone else, but for myself, my biggest challenge is ensuring I can have even just enough energy to be able to participate in a family function and also to make sure I am not sabotaging my own efforts to be a positively contributing member to the occasion and not some downer and making everyone join my “pity party”!!
OK as most sufferers of Fibromyalgia can attest to, there are just some parts of any festivity that do not settle in well. Maybe we overdo it and just do not have the energy to finish out the day? Maybe the festive meals just don’t sit well with our IBS type symptoms (can the waistband of our pants get any more uncomfortable!! OMG). Perhaps we have not slept decently in a week or more and we fear the dreaded “snoring at the party” memes sure to ensue when our bodies finally say “sure NOW is a good time to sleep?” Hopefully, we recognize some of our warning signs and can navigate the evening without feeling that we missed out on the best of the occasion.
Fibro Warrior, Know thyself!
By pacing yourself and prioritizing your commitments, you can participate as fully as possible in the season’s festivities. Understanding your limitations and taking the necessary steps to manage your pain can help you get the most out of your efforts and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest. Remember, it’s okay to say no to certain activities and events if they are too much for you to handle. Your health and well-being should always come first.
The greatest gift of the season for someone suffering from Fibromyalgia or other chronic pain syndromes (or just plain PAIN) is to give yourself the gift of understanding. Understanding your response to the seasonal stress and the social demands of the season can be key to pacing yourself to be able to participate as fully as possible, or to prioritizing your seasonal commitments to be able to make the most of the time and energy you have to get the most out of your efforts.
So this holiday season, take the time to give yourself the gift of understanding. By doing so, you can better manage your pain and enjoy all the season has to offer.
I welcome any comments or suggestions for adjusting your routines or adapting to the high-energy time of the holidays!!
The Fibro Vagabond 