Coping With The Stress Of Back Pain

I love this little verse which I keep close by...

Lovely verse which helped me through tough times of dealing with the stress and worry of sciatic pain.

"God grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can
And the Wisdom to know the difference."

Focus on what you CAN DO with your back condition. Dont beat yourself up over the rest.

It is important to focus when you have back pain and sciatica on what you CAN DO.

Of course you may be told about and thinking about all the things you cannot do but there will be things you CAN do and I suggest you focus on those things, do them, and don't beat yourself up about the rest.

Sometimes it helps to re evaluate the tasks in the family and to reassign duties depending on what people are good at and what they can do.

We found it useful to make a list of all the jobs that needed doing and then I could pick the things I could do and the rest to be done by others.

Do a WIN LIST

Make yourself a list every day of all the things you are going to do. Make everything onthelist acheiveable. It can include things like washing your face, holding a toothbrush, gettig out of bed, talking, kissing your spouse, reading your kids a bedtime story....whatever you KNOW you will achieve.Then at the end of that day tick off all you have done.

Why is this good to do?

It convinces your mind YOU are a WINNER! You will develop a CAN DO attitude and that will serve you well. More on that in the life Transformation System Z e book if you are interested.

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

If you ever feel worried, anxious, suicidal or depressed or just plain fed up with coping with it all do not sit there feeling you have to go through it alone.

There are help lines to listen and advise you.

I am a recovering back pain sufferer and not a medical expert or psychologist.This lens contains personal opinions that are not intended as medical advice. The contents are not intended to diagnose, treat or give a medical opinion.

This lens cannot medically advise you on depression or stress. It is very important that if you are experiencing depression, stress and anxiety that you see a healthcare provider and if experiencing suicidal thoughts that you ring the National helplines for your country.

I am not a psychologist and am talking in some cases from my personal experiences here about things that helped me when i was going through the stress, anxiety and depression of long term back pain and sciatica, and I will also refer you to works of people or techniques which you may wish to explore.

The information here is no substitute for medical and psychological diagnosis and guidance. Consult a physician in all matters relating to health, particularly concerning any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Never disregard medical advice, or delay or change treatment because of something you have read here.

For assistance with back pain, depression or any other medical condition, always consult a qualified healthcare professional.