When chronic pain goes hand in hand with chronic fatigue, it can be difficult to muster up the energy and willpower to do anything at all.
This, unfortunately, extends to spending time with family. As much as you love it, and as much as you want to make the most of the time you can spend with them, there’s no denying that socialising with family members can be extremely draining when you’re suffering from a chronic pain condition.
Suddenly, crawling around the floor with your four-year-old fills you with dread instead of joy, and a visit from the in-laws sends you spiralling behind a painted-on smile. Even the thought of larger gatherings, such as Christmas or birthdays, makes you feel like you already need to sleep for a week.
It’s a shame, but it’s true.
Family time while living with chronic pain and fatigue can be challenging, but there are things you can do to inject the joy back into it…
Improve your Energy to Better Enjoy Family Time
- Choose your Activities Wisely If you want to spend time with family members for longer without feeling your energy deplete dramatically, it’s important to consider the activities you suggest. As an example, you may be able to do an hour of colouring in with your child as opposed to ten minutes of running around the park. You could set aside two hours for a coffee with your parents instead of an entire evening of food and drinks. By doing so, you’ll be able to better enjoy the time you’re spending with those family members without worrying about overexerting yourself.
- Set Aside Rest Time Particularly for bigger family gatherings like Christmas, New Year or birthdays, it’s a good idea to set aside time for a break. Schedule in half an hour here and there to step away from the social situation and have some time to yourself. You may want to do some light exercise to get your blood and oxygen flowing again if you’re feeling tired, or a nap might be the right way to go. Even twenty minutes of deep breathing and meditation can help your energy bank feel replenished.
- Look After Yourself When you’re spending a lot of time with family, it can be easy to focus all of your attention on them and forget about yourself. But, if you want to keep your energy levels up and pain levels manageable, it’s essential to look after yourself too. Ensure you maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and stick to your regular sleep schedule. Doing so will give your body the best chance of coping with increased socialisation, meaning you’ll be far better able to enjoy time with your loved ones.
Family time when you have chronic pain and fatigue may be challenging, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed.
If you’d like support in managing your chronic pain condition, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
