Fight Pain with Happiness
Your Mindset Matters!
In our hurried, anxious society it’s hard to be happy. It takes work and creativity to enjoy ourselves. But did you know that happiness helps reduce pain?
How is that possible? Well, pain is very context driven. The brain only perceives pain when it makes sense, under the right context. The whole purpose of pain is to alert the brain to possible tissue damage, so you’ll react - like move your hand off a hot stove. When the context is wrong, i.e. you’re happy and enjoying yourself, the pain signals don’t make sense and the brain assumes they aren’t as important.
The way to interfere with pain is experience more happy emotions and less unhappy ones. Pain is processed faster when it’s linked to an unhappy emotion like fear, guilt, anger, disgust, hatred, or rejection. The brain assumes that if you are unhappy, the pain signals may be more important. Pain is processed slower when it’s linked to positive emotions like:
-Happiness
-Love
-Calmness
-Interest
-Enthusiasm
-Passion
-Gratitude
Mindfulness
How do you experience these emotions or more of them? Mindfulness!
Being mindful is focusing on something intently. This can be your breathing, your blessings, or any other happy thoughts and things!
Focusing on the bright side
Didn’t get a front row parking spot at the store?
Bright side: Exercise!
Raining out today?
Bright side: No need to water the plants!
Savoring
This is my favorite.
Savor a good book, a pleasant smell, or the hug and laughter of your partner and kids.
Smell the Roses
Stop and enjoy all the little things like a nice day, a helpful stranger, or a beautiful rose!
Positive Thinking
Write down and save your positive thoughts. This simple act has been shown to reduce pain. It may help change your thinking from negative to positive, which can change your whole focus.
Volunteering
Helping other people has been shown to reduce pain. Volunteer at your church, local food pantry, Big Brother/Big Sisters, or your local library. It’s all good for you!
Journal about Thankfulness
Actively writing (with a pen - not on the computer) is linked to a positive mindset and lower pain.
Acts of Kindness
Little acts of kindness can actually make a big difference in your pain. So buy a cup of coffee for the guy behind you in line, hold the door for someone, or help an elderly shopper with his/her groceries.
Laughter
It’s just like they say: Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a funny movie, go see a comedian, or swap funny stories with friends or family. Laughing actually releases natural painkillers (the good kind that don’t cause the brain’s reward systems to misbehave!).
Make a Deposit in your Positive Memory Bank
Thinking and talking about happy times in your life creates positive emotions, which helps reduce pain. Look at baby pictures, wedding photos, or talk about the good ol’ times. You get the idea. Think of what warms your heart and work to increase it. If you succeed in focusing on the positive, and stop focusing on the negative, your brain will follow suit.
For best results, you should seek help from a pelvic pain specialist. Your specialist can untangle where your pain is coming from and recommend the right treatment for you.
