SMART Goals and Chronic Pain: What are your goals?

P.S. Having used essential oils, herbal teas and many "naturally occuring" supplemental foods and tonics for over 30 years (personally, and with clients), and witnessing the often, profound effects of natures cure, that assist the body with detoxifying, stress and pain relief; I can say with confidence that it may be worth trying. Many of these are nervines (St. Johns Wort, Valerian esp.) which, do not pair well with anti- depressants, so be careful and always check with an M.D.. A diffuser, a cotton ball dabbed with a fav scent, either thrown in the dryer with your pillow case, or snuggled inside for deeper sleep helps. Some citrus scents are uplifting, other oils invigorating, bring clarity and diminish sensations of pain, in some people. As we know clove oil remedies a tooth ache, so as a eucalyptus steam clears the sinuses (don't open your eyes!).

You hit a chord in talking about frustration! I lose so much energy due to a feeling of hopelessness. I have always been a mover and shaker, and now, the pain causes me to think that I have to stay still, so that I can handle it. In reality, its the opposite- getting up and doing self- care rituals actually helps much more, and cuts my depression levels down. This morning I woke- up very angry, when I felt the same- same pain still eating at me. I felt it holding me back, that frustration, and my anger busted through the woeful hopelessness of that frozen sense of defeat. After 4 days of "couch sitting" the pain, I'm ready to get moving.

SMART Goals Are:

SPECIFIC - What do you want to work on?Self-care, exercise, behavior, thoughts? Write each goal plainly. State exactly what you want to achieve, when you want to achieve it and how you will do it.

MEASURABLE- Focus on clear, measurable outcomes. A goal is useless if you cannot measure success. "I want to walk for 5 minutes each day" is clear and measurable.

ATTAINABLE - Be sure this goal is within reasonable reach. Start with goals you can achieve daily or within a week to a month.

REALISTIC - Can I accomplish this or am I setting myself up for failure? Be sure each goal is realistic. While reducing the focus on your symptoms and planning for the future, consider your limitations.

TIME-ATTAINABLE/TRACKABLE- How much time do I need to meet this goal? Will it be short-term or long-term? Decide how to track your progress. Keeping a record of improvements encourages you to keep moving forward.

Keep in mind that trying to attain goals may come with occasional set backs. Accept the set back, review the goal and move on again with positivity.

If you have pets, get advice before you use essential oil scents. Dogs and cats can be made quite ill with some.

I have done this sort of thing on my own for some time now. My one disappointment is that I cannot get out and walk. I was on steroids for vasculitis for 5 1/2 years before they determined I didn't have it! The damage from the steroids includes diabetes, osteopenia, spinal stenosis, tooth damage, weakened muscles, bones, tendons (torn tendon that cannot be repaired because it would just tear out again), and more. I am gaining weight due to inactivity. I am doing more that I was two years ago. I work around the house (dishes, cleaning, etc), but cannot stay on my feet more than 5-10 minutes. I wanted to get a back brace that would support the spinal stenosis and lumbar pain I experience, but have been advised against it by my doctor. I would use it only to get out and walk - the 5 minutes would be a good starting point for me. They want to inject my back but they want to use steroids. After a lot of long hard thought I decided I have enough damage from steroids. I have decided to learn to live with it, which I am doing (plus my husband had his back injected and ended up with arachnoiditis - don't want to add to my problems). My only other goal is to do some walking. Distraction is a help. I am an author, I knit and crochet, I read, but these all add to my sedentary lifestyle, which I am trying to change. I am gaining - I was doing nothing 2 years ago. If I could just get out and walk some, I could accept the rest. I may go ahead and get that back brace anyway - it's not like I would be wearing it 100% of the time.

Thank you. I no longer use my diffuser for this reason.

Hi Janie - It sure is tough when activities we used to take for granted are "out of reach."
When I was rehabbing from surgery (several times), walking was one of the things I missed the most. To get started, at first I would just walk to the mailbox & back (probably 150-200 feet) and just kept adding a little every few days until I was finally back on track. By the time I could walk our entire cul de sac, my neighbors had taken notice and were cheering my progress!
With your bone and spine issues, long walks may be permanently off your list, but do you think a couple of short strolls each day are doable? Do you live in a house, or an apartment?
Sue

I do walk to the mailbox and back. It is probably 100' and then I go down the road to a tree on our yard. Not far but a beginning.