How to look after your mental health when you’re in pain 8

Pain’s a bitch. For whatever reason and in whatever way, it is horrible when you are in pain. As well as looking after your body it’s important to look after your mind. When I am in pain it is normally from sciatica or headaches.

I developed sciatica about 4 years ago. This is a really painful condition. It starts with pain in my lower back and then works it way down my leg. Sometimes it feels like a dull ache. Other times it can be a shooting pain At its worst the pain is so bad that I can’t move. My muscles feel weak and I can’t move without being in agony.

When I’m suffering with sciatica I cannot walk very far without pain. You are advised not to rest too much. But sometimes that means all I can do is sit on the sofa, hobble round the house and then sit down again. I miss out on long walks with Milly. Spending time with Milly and waking is a big part of how I look after my mental health. I get sick of being in pain. I get sick of not being able to do very much. I’m all for being lazy when I choose to to be lazy and relax. When you’re forced to be lazy because your body is in pain it is not fun.

I was recently in a lot of pain and discomfort with sciatica which left me feeling low, down and depressed. Anyone would feel sad and low when in this situation but if, like me, you already struggle with anxiety and depression then it is easy to crash and crash hard. When my sciatica returns (because it will) I will be ready. I will be prepared. I will think about my mental health and try and look after it before it gets bad.

How to look after your mental health when you're in pain. Struggling with your physical health and being in pain can leave you struggling with anxiety and depression. Here are 7 ways to look after your mental health while you're in pain on Milly's Guide.

Seven ways to look after your mental health when you’re in pain:

  1. Share how you feel. Admit to yourself when you’re feeling down. Acknowledge that you are struggling. Open up with your friends and family how you feel. Getting it out and being open about how you feel goes a long way in looking after your mental health.
  2. Cry if you need to. This goes along with number 1. Opening up about the way that you feel, whether that is through words or tears is a good way of looking after your mental health.
  3. Treat your physical pain. I often try to ‘keep calm and carry on’ even when I’m in pain. I try not to take to many pills as I don’t want to be taking them all the time! But this can be counter productive as the pain really drags you down. For my sciatica and headaches this involves taking regular painkillers and using pain relief gel, using heatpacks for my back and a cold flannel on my forehead.
  4. Distract yourself. What activities can you do to occupy your mind? This will distract you from the pain and ensure that your mind isn’t focused on bad thoughts and feelings.
  5. Have things to look forward to. Treat yourself – eat your a favourite food, watch your favourite films and read a good book. Can you plan something fun to do next weekend? Tell yourself the pain will pass and you will be able to enjoy yourself soon.
  6. Get some gentle exercise if you can. Depending on what your pain is this might not be possible. As I said earlier for my sciatica I need to hobble around often. When I have a headache sometimes a short, gentle walk outside in the fresh air is helpful. One of my other favourite gentle exercise is pilates, which can be useful for looking after your muscles and body.



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