Chronic pain isn’t an easy condition to handle, but there are things you can do to get more control. Changes in your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routines can help ease your pain.

Try these techniques for more relief:

1. Manage stress.

Stress can increase chronic pain and make it more difficult to manage. Try a variety of strategies to relax and reduce stress to see which ones work the best for you.

Yoga and meditation are two stress-reduction strategies that can help.

2. Try breathing exercises.

By simply focusing on your breathing, you can relax your muscles and reduce pain. Deep breathing exercises can also reduce blood pressure, eliminate stress, and decrease the heart rate.
3. Find fun distractions. Instead of concentrating on the pain, try distractions that help you forget about it.

Hobbies and activities such as watching your favorite movie or reading a new book can help. You may also want to try drawing or other ideas that help you fill your time and avoid thinking about the pain.

4. Increase your water intake.

Dehydration can make chronic pain worse.

5. Avoid inflammatory food.

Fast food and processed food can increase inflammation in your body, so your chronic pain also increases. Foods with a lot of sugar and salt also contribute to inflammation and increased pain.

6. Add more anti-inflammatory food.

On the other hand, nuts, leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, and other items can help you fight inflammation and reduce pain. They have antioxidants that fight damage on the cellular level.

7. Focus on posture.

Posture can help reduce the stress on your back and cut down on chronic pain.

Pay attention to how you sit and stand. Experts recommend that your spine should be straight for better blood circulation. Try to avoid slumping your shoulders and lowering your head.

8. Discuss your health with others.

The American Psychological Association says that talking about your health can reduce your sense of pain and talking about your pain can also help you discover management techniques.

9. Try massage.

Massages, done correctly, can reduce chronic pain by improving circulation and blood flow. Massages can help reduce back, shoulder, and neck pain. The results will also improve your overall health.

10. Find support.

Health experts recommend joining support groups that focus on chronic pain. These groups give you the chance to meet others who suffer from chronic pain. They can offer advice and tips for managing your pain.

They may also provide doctor and clinic reviews or recommendations. By talking to others who have chronic pain, you can learn new techniques to deal with your pain.

Chronic pain is often linked to anxiety and depression. The social aspect of support groups can also help in coping with these side effects. Support groups are less formal settings and online groups offer privacy and anonymity so you can feel comfortable sharing your experience.

Even if you take medication for your pain, you can further reduce it with these techniques. Follow your doctor’s advice, reduce stress and inflammation, and find support, and you should find the pain relief you have been needing.