Each Monday, we’ll look at ways to cope well with pain and how to get yourself to use helpful techniques regularly.  It’s your at-home pain management class!

But first, a drumroll for the winner of the Change a Habit Contest…   ***Beth***.  Beth is in the preparation stage for getting more exercise, and she’s planning to write out what kind of exercise she’ll do each week, to help herself stick with her goal.  Beth, send in your address here, and I’ll mail your prize, Painful Yarns, to you.  Congratulations!  (And thanks to Lauren for picking our winner out of a hat.)

Last week, we looked at relaxed breathing exercises.  This week you’re invited to try a basic relaxation exercise.  Both of these techniques are intended to reduce pain through helping you be more relaxed.

• Relaxation Exercise

There are several ways to use this exercises:

• read through the exercise and then do it from memory (it doesn’t have to be done exactly as I’ve written it)
• tape record the exercise yourself, then play it back for yourself to do
• have someone else read or record the exercise for you

Your assignment:  Do the relaxation exercise at least once a day

Next Monday, I’ll give some feedback to those who entered the Change a Habit Contest about their submissions, so everyone can learn together.  Other articles in this series:

• How to change a habit, part 1
• How to change a habit, part 2
• Breathing exercises, part 1
• How to succeed with your new habit
• Breathing exercises, part 2
• 6 great ideas so you succeed with your new habit
• Cats succeeding at their New Year’s resolution
• Visualization
• Guided imagery, part 1
• Guided imagery, part 2
• Stress management, part 1
• Stress management, part 2
• Why people with pain can’t sleep
• 9 tips to get better sleep

Thanks to HopeIsBuilt for the photo.  And here’s a bonus for you, because laughter is always great…  a funny video at Psychology of Pain.  Enjoy!

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