Week of June 22nd

At some point in our life we all experience some form of pain, whether it is physical discomfort from an illness or an emotional response to an upsetting event. Although pain is unavoidable, for some the length and intensity of the pain can be longer and more intense. When pain is long lasting it becomes chronic pain and it can interfere with our daily living and functioning. Many people living with chronic pain experience sleep disturbances, trouble with social gatherings, difficulty moving around, changes in appetite and mood fluctuations. There is a strong connection between our physiological suffering and our psychological well-being. Our goal this week is to help introduce and practice coping techniques that will help manage, tolerate, distract and soothe the chronic pain as a way to improve our overall emotional state.

When we begin to practice skills such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, gentle movement, self-soothing techniques, and imagery we are able to find space between our mind’s reaction to the pain and turn our awareness towards our sensations. Practicing sensory awareness and other relaxation techniques is just one example of a way to cope through our chronic pain. We are looking forward to learning ways that you manage pain and practicing coping strategies as a community!