Enter the “How Do You Show Your Love” Contest by 2/19

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!

So far we’ve looked at a couple of breathing exercises and a basic relaxation exercise.  All of these techniques are intended to reduce pain through helping you be more relaxed.  Today we’ll look at 2 more breathing exercises.

• Breathing Exercise #3
• Breathing Exercise #4

There are several ways to use these exercises:

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

Overall, some people find a favorite relaxation exercise and do just that one.  Others like to vary the ones they use.  Either way is fine.

Your assignment:  Do a breathing exercise at least once a day.

Next Monday, we’ll look at “habit helpers” - websites, technology and tricks that can help keep you practicing your pain management techniques.  Other articles in this series:

• How to change a habit, part 1
• How to change a habit, part 2
• Breathing exercises, part 1
• Relaxation exercise
• How to succeed with your new habit
• 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 Zen Mountain Monastery for the breathing animation.

Send in your submissions for February’s Pain-Blog Carnival by 2/22.