WHOOPS — I OVERDID IT AGAIN!

We know our limits. We know how much we can do in one day, yet it happens – we overdo it.

Sometimes circumstances dictate that we overdo it. Have you ever gone to a theme park, state fair, trade show, or conference? It’s pretty hard to pace yourself at such events. And, then there’s travel. Sitting in cars for long periods of time. Running to elusive gates and hauling luggage through airports.

What about moving? I can hear a collective groan about that event. It’s pretty hard to stand idly by and watch everything you own get packed up and moved.

These activities can be hard on ANY body

but they’re particularly hard on the fibro body.

Since the “overdo it” phenomenon happens, we need to know what we can do to help make the increased symptoms go away as quickly as possible. Because we tipped the scales of overdoing it, we need to tip them in the other direction. We need to increase our self-care activities to find a happy medium.

Here are a few tips to help you find that elusive state of restored balance.

– First of all, don’t “plan for” your pain/fatigue levels to increase.

Don’t go into the event/activity with the belief that you’ll be sore, fatigued, and laid up for days on end afterward. Planning for this to happen is one sure way to make it so.

– Do what you can to mitigate carrying heavy bags, purses, and/or cargo.

Weight – particularly on the neck/shoulders – can be problematic and while it’s sometimes unavoidable, do what you can to plan ahead to lighten the load.

– Sit with purpose.

If your event requires you to be sedentary (like a conference) – get up and walk/move as often as possible. Roll your shoulders, tilt your head (gently) from side to side, practice deep breathing. Even while sitting, you can do mental calisthenics such as meditations and affirmations.

– Move with purpose.

If you’re moving non-stop – be aware of your posture. Keep your head and shoulders back (don’t hunch forward). If you’re standing, keep your knees slightly bent, and remember to breathe deeply. When you return home, be sure to keep on moving. You may need to attack your regular fitness routine with a more gentle approach, but don’t eliminate it! Muscles NEED to move.

– Stay hydrated.

Be sure to drink plenty of clean, filtered water both during your activity and afterward. You may need to increase the amount you drink afterward to help detoxify and flush out residual pain.

– Increase vibrant nutrition.

Eat dark, green leafy veggies, drink smoothies and veggie juices, do whatever you need to do to be sure your body is provided with the peak nutrition it’s calling for at this time of rebuilding and restoring.

– Soothe sore muscles.

Allow yourself the time – and a self-nurturing mental space – to soak in a warm tub with Epsom salts. Your sore muscles need to detoxify and absorb missing minerals. If you like, add some baking soda to prevent drying out your skin. Allow yourself the time to regenerate physically and emotionally. Relax, breathe deeply and pray, meditate, and/or listen to soothing music, etc.

These tips should get you started on your road to recovery. What helps you heal from a symptoms flare? Share here!

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