There are simple and easy techniques that can be learned and applied in those moments of  pain escalation that can bring you back down to some kind of homeostasis (balance).  I’m not talking about magic cures or fancies remedies that make things disappear (Although you would be very surprised). I am talking about having tools in your tool belt to deal with chronic pain and stress when they arrive in our day to day lives .  Sometimes if you take a moment to reset your mind and body , you can function and get through the tasks at hand .

Here are six quick and simple tools:

1. Breathe

Yes.  You have heard it before.  Just breathe.  Take a minute for yourself.  Sit or stand with your spine erect and diaphragm(chest cavity) opened.  Close your eyes.  Take four or five deep breaths.  Breathing directly into the space holding the physical pain.  This will oxygenate the blood and muscles. Clear your thoughts for a moment, only focusing on the breath. Slow down your heart rate.  Quite everything down so much that you can hear your own heart beat.  Then open your eyes and feel the space that has been made.  There is serious power in the breath.  There are so many techniques but I like box breathing for this exercise .  It consists of a four second inhale……Holding for four seconds at the top of the breath, then releasing for four seconds and repeating the cycle several times.  Just nice easy breaths, taking your time while counting, and making sure to use up full lung capacity.  It is a beautiful tool, the breath.  So much power to create change.

2. Mood Enhancers / Mood Stabilizers

Sometimes it helps to look ahead and keep things with you that you might need throughout the day.  I like to carry a couple essential oils with me.  There are several that are absolutely amazing for mood management.  I love Wild Orange any time day or night.  It always seems to enhance my mood immediately.  I basically run it in my diffuser 24 hours a day.  If you are out and about , simply put a drop in your hands and inhale .  Do you ever feel that two o’clock  drag?  Where your body is tired and  hurting and you are just done?  Try Peppermint and Wild Orange together for an amazing pick- me-up.

For mood stabilization I like to go with woodsy /grounding oils like DoTERRA Balance Blend, or even just some good ole’ Lavender .  It always seems to have a positive effect on those around you after applying/ diffusing it.

There are so many options in choices of oils and how to apply them, but these are a great start.

3. Topical Application

Let’s not forget the power of just applying something topically where the pain is.  If you can trick your mind for a few minutes, you can find temporary relief physically and mentally.   I love DoTERRA Deep Blue Rub for muscle aches and pains.  It’s so penetrating.  It does have the classic menthol smell.  If you want to stay away from that I recommend Lavender or Siberian Fir for tired achy muscles. Apply ( with proper dilution)to desired area of pain while breathing deeply.

4. EFT/Tapping

This is a gem I ran across about four years ago in a very trying time.  I can’t tell you how much it helped me then, and how much I use it now for a quick reset. Here is a link on EFT if you want to know more .  You don’t have to do it exactly how they teach it as far as the wording.  It’s important to learn the simple sequence of moves 1-9 , and why/how they are working for you, and then you can add your own words or meanings as you go  ( that’s what I do).  This is worth checking out and I do really believe in it’s benefits.

5. Guided Imagery

I was introduced to this while working in a Cancer Institute in 2003.  They offered this CEU to all the patients and staff.  It was titled “Pain and Stress Management with Guided Imagery”.   During the class , I remember thinking ” This is a bunch of hocus pocus, I can’t believe they are offering this in a medical facility. ” .  By the end of the class I was a true believer. I felt little to no pain in my body and my mood had completely shifted. Learn more here.  I highly recommend this as an early morning routine or before bed.  There are so many different examples for specific needs.   Search You Tube and find your favorite. I love facilitating these in my massage sessions to release stress and trauma. It’s a great tool with some surprising healing qualities.

6. Affirmations

This was also introduced to me at that same CEU on guided imagery. They described it as another form, and it is literally one of my favorite tools to reset.  You can pick one affirmation through the day and say it.  You can make certain affirmations for certain situations.  You can find all kinds of longer affirmations on-line( You Tube) for specific ailments.  Basically it’s a reprogramming of the mind.  It is very powerful.  It feels a little silly at first, but once you tap into it, it can become a very important tool in your tool belt. Learn more /get examples here . I chose one on anxiety and depression for an example.  This will give you a good idea of what affirmations are and how to use them in your daily life.

Thank you so much for your time in reading this.  I hope it was helpful.  Please leave your questions and comments below.  I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on these subjects and maybe how they have helped you.  Be well