Keeping Up with Essential Chores While Living with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain sufferers admit that keeping up with essential chores is challenging. Household tasks such as cooking, laundry and grocery shopping that were once easy, may feel overwhelming for people who suffer chronic pain from diseases such as Fibromyalgia or Arthritis.

A study of 50 Dutch patients, "The Impact of Chronic Pain on Life in the Household", concluded that 35% were forced to either a) hire domestic help or b) spouses had to invest more time in housekeeping chores. Ultimately, the study found that chronic pain had a profound impact on both patients and their spouses.

It is possible to keep up with essential chores without unduly exacerbating chronic Fibromyalgia or Arthritis pain.

What Chores are Essential?

Use me for your living example. in my dysfunctional family of origin, cleanliness was not only next to godliness, I was forced to clean the entire house and pass the white-glove test every day. As an adult, I carried this fanatical habit pattern with me.

When chronic pain of Fibromyalgia grabbed me, I had to relax my standards. Perfectionism is no longer considered a positive trait anyway.

What chores do you consider essential? Which chores can you delegate?

Take it Easy

Delegate what you can. Enlist your spouse and if you have them, children, to help with household chores involving bending, reaching, lifting, pushing (vacuum or mop) and grocery buying.

Parcel out your part of the essential chores in daily segments. For instance, when you're having a "better day", cook pots of soup, pasta sauce, beans, etc, freeze and serve later.

On weekends, sit at the table and slice, dice, chop fresh vegetables for the upcoming week and store in separate containers. Volila! Instant salad fixings and stir-fry are at your fingertips.

Remember: conserve your energy. Doing too much will heighten the pain.

One Day at a Time, One Room at a Time

Clean one room one day, and another, another day. I know, I know, we were taught to clean all the floors, then dust all the furniture and so on. But when we live with chronic pain, we can give ourselves permission to make-up the rules as we go.

By cleaning one room at a time, we can alternate sitting and standing and use of various muscles and joints to minimize flare-ups of fatigue or pain.

Keep in mind: take frequent rest breaks between chores.

Kill the Clutter

Get rid of knickknacks and bric-a-bracs that require dusting. Throw out stacks and piles of old newspapers and magazines. Pare down closet and cabinet items. Give them away to someone who will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Keep a large garbage bag on floor of your closet and eliminate a few items at a time. Get hubby or a tall friend to reach things that are stored in high places.

Know this: killing clutter invites good chi (energy) into our home.

Upstairs, Downstairs

At our house "Bombs Away!" means that I am tossing dirty laundry downstairs. Just for grins, try it.

It's also helpful to store cleaning supplies and toiletries on both floors to minimize trips up and down the stairs.

Tip: Hold onto the rail when you're going upstairs or downstairs.

Keeping up with Essential Chores While Living with Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain is a difficult adjustment. You will feel guilty because you must depend on others to help keep up with essential chores. Try to let go of the guilt and substitute love. Show your love and friends and family will want to contribute to your comfort.

Slowing down is difficult. You must learn to set a reasonable pace when doing your part of essential chores. Take frequent rest breaks.

At first, household tasks seem overwhelming when you contract Fibromyalgia or Arthritis pain, keep trying until you accept what-is. You hurt today and you will hurt tomorrow.

Above all things, be gentle with yourself.

Source: http://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0995-3924(02)00386-X/abstract

"The Impact of Chronic Pain on Life in the Household"Personal Experience from living with chronic pain of Fibromyalgia