How I cope

Some days I don't know how I get through the day. I have fibromyalgia and I deal with daily stressors. I could go on but nobody wants to hear how hard my life is. Everyone wants to know how to survive it. I don't have a perfect answer, but nobody will. I just focus on taking it one step at a time. I journal if I can. It always helps to express myself. Journaling isn't the only way. The other things that have personally really helped me are:


o    Journaling
·         Journaling is my favorite way to express myself. It is easy to feel alone in this world. Journaling is a way to get it out. I don't have to worry about other people judging me because I can keep it for myself, if I choose to. A lot of the times I want to share my experiences though. Journaling is a safe haven for me.

o    Knitting
·         My Nana taught me how to knit when I was younger. There is satisfaction in making something. There is also the repetitive motion with your hands. I have heard that using your hands is a great way to cope and relieve stress. This site goes into more detail regarding using your hands and reducing stress. Link: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-using-your-hands-creatively-can-reduce-stress-and-anxiety/

o    Animals
·         In college, my sister got a parakeet. I found it extremely therapeutic. She got her parakeet from a breeder. I thought it would be a good thing for me too. I was going into my senior year of college. I didn't have much of a social life, because of my fibromyalgia. So I got my crazy girl, Elsa.
·         I also have my dog, Zoey. My Mom got her in 2011. Then I adopted her in 2016. She isn't an official service dog but my pets are my unofficial service animals. Zoey loves lying in bed with me. If I am there, she is there with me. She loves to cuddle!
·         So, I am not suggesting everyone go out and buy pets. They are amazing and beneficial but it is not always the best choice for everyone. There are a lot of funny videos online though. So, why not just watch funny animal videos? There is also a live stream to watch animals at Explore.org

o    Distractions
·         Distractions are the best when it comes to my fibromyalgia discomforts. My favorite distraction is Netflix. Sometimes it is all I can do though especially on the weekends. On the weekends, I am able to slow down and relax.  In some cases, distractions are healthy. I know I am doing what I can to cope with fibromyalgia. So, why should I fixate on the things I cannot change? Therefore, I go on a Netflix binge!
 
  




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