Published by

Abbie on 11th February 2021

Taking care of your health can take many forms – exercising, having the right amount of sleep or maintaining a well-balanced diet.

However, it is easy to forget to put a conscious effort to take care of not only your body but also your mind. Taking the time to rest and do activities that bring you joy is just as, if not more, important.

So here is your reminder to relax along with a few ideas that you can use for self care inspiration.

Listen to Podcasts

If you want to have a thoughtful evening, listening to a podcast is a great idea. There is a wide range of podcasts that cover love, history, science, comedy and even chronic pain and relationships.

If you are interested in the topic of relationships, Spooning with Spoonies might be a perfect choice. You will listen to host Noa and health experts talking about self-acceptance, relationships and intimacy from the perspective of chronic illness.

For self-care, you can try listening to Painiac by Shelly Buffington. As a person with chronic conditions herself, Shelly will guide you to thoughtful discussions of pain management and emotional support.

If you want more podcasts talking about chronic pain, feel free to read our full podcast recommendation list here.

Try Out Healthy Dessert Recipes

What’s life without some sweets and desserts? Cooking and baking can be both fun and fulfilling. Healthy, too, when you try recipes with anti-inflammatory ingredients and low sugar levels. 

Dr Frank Hu, Professor of Nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard University, recommends plant-based ingredients to reduce inflammation and help relieve chronic pain. This means you can consider having nuts, fruits, or vegetables to complete your tasty dessert. 

One recipe from healthy food consultant Abbey Blackwell, recommends simple Paleo Avocado Brownies to fulfil your craving for something sweet but healthy. The brownies are rich and very moist with a fudgy taste out of a mix of avocados, coconut flour and the right amount of chocolate.

Another recommended recipe is vegan keto Chocolate Fat Bombs. The bitterness of cocoa, a known anti-inflammatory, is combined with a confectioner’s sugar replacement for a sweet and sugar-free dessert. 

If you want more options for sweets and plants-based snacks, here’s a list of recipes from One Green Planet you can try out.

Take a Break with Essential oils

Did you know filtering the air you inhale can help with chronic pain as well as stress and anxiety? 

In 2018, a study found that major compounds in essential oils or plant-extract oil showed promise in chronic pain treatment.

Ginger and black pepper, for instance, are quite effective for pain relief. The former is actually used in Swedish massage treatments to help ease lower back pain for elderly patients. Black pepper, on the other hand, has been used to reduce neck pain.

There are many ways to apply treatments with essential oils. In addition to aromatherapy, they can also be used in massages, warm baths, or compressions for relief at the point of pain. You can consult with your doctor or specialist for further assistance at home.

Practice Meditative Activities

Studies have found that simple activities like meditation and mindfulness exercises are good methods of pain management and relaxation.

Andy McLellan, a trainee zen priest diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis, tries to stay active despite staying in bed. His chronic fatigue symptoms don’t limit his productivity, as he says, “You can live a life totally fully from bed.”

He sat down with the podcast This is Not What I Ordered to share some of his peaceful routines.

Surprise yourself with peaceful, yet challenging activities like writing haikus, knitting, and meditating. These simple practices are terrific to train your creative mind while keeping your body relaxed at the same time.

Reach Out to Loved Ones

There is never a bad time for you to reconnect with old friends or family.

A simple video chat, phone call or even text can make your whole day. You can also catch up with them over a coffee, dinner or plan an activity such as going to the movies.

If you need a guide on how to prepare yourself for going to the cinema, Cynthia Covert, a blogger with fibromyalgia, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and endometriosis, shares her insights on how to make going to the movies with chronic pain enjoyable. 

These are just a few of the many, many things you can try to give your body and mind care they truly deserve.

If you want more exciting tips and ideas, head over to our Facebook page. It’s a perfect place to share and learn about spending a better day with more positivity and self-love. 

To Better Days has a range of active patches that help those experiencing sustained discomfort. Our easy to use adhesive patches contain a patented combination of vitamin D and dextrose to offer a topical and targeted option that supports the health of joints, muscles and nerves.

Here’s to being on the move, having more ‘get up and go’ and a feeling of freedom. Here’s To Better Days.