Pain
It demands to be felt.
In fifth grade I fell off a 15-foot zip-line and broke both of my arms, I remember the doctors saying I should have been paralyzed after a fall like that. This event shook my world and completely altered who I was as a young girl. After wearing casts on my arms for several months and healing from the physical pain that was brought on from falling off that zip-line, I began experiencing something new to me- mental pain. And as hard as the physical pain was, the mental pain was 10x harder. But what I learned throughout it was that by getting curious about the pain and not viewing it as a threat or something inherently bad… I was able to truly feel the emotions I needed to feel and it reassured me that the pain would eventually pass.
-
In our lifetime we will all experience some sort of pain, and in the famous words of John Green, “pain demands to be felt.”
There are people who are raised to believe that pain is something to push down and that you can only show others joy. But that just isn’t true. By being vulnerable enough to show your pain to others, whether it be mental or physical, you allow deeper connections to form.
Throughout my 24 years I have dealt with mental illnesses and physical illnesses. The most important thing I have learned from these challenges though is the value that comes from sharing your story with others and being vulnerable about your pain.
Feel your pain.
And when you’re ready, share your story with others.
-
Something to note, is that sometimes we can get into a habit of playing the “victim role.” This is where we portray ourselves as victims of circumstances in order to gain sympathy or pity from others. With that in mind, I believe there is a healthy balance to sharing our stories about our mental/physical pain. The way we word our stories and communicate to others and ourselves is important. I like to think of my experience with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer and how I chose to use my experience to provide hope and light for others… I expressed my pain from my journey but also provided insight that could help others through my openness and vulnerability. So, feel your pain, and when you’re ready, share your story with others in a way where you avoid playing that “victim role.”
-
Sometimes there are ways to work through mental/physical pain. These ways don’t always fix the problem, but they can help along the way.
Ways to Work Through Pain:
1. Meditation: Meditation is a powerful tool that can help you calm your mind and relax your body. Focusing on your breath or a particular mantra can help you manage your pain.
2. Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by your body. It can also help you take your mind off your pain and release tension.
3. Stretching: Gentle stretching exercises can loosen up your muscles and alleviate physical pain.
4. Heat/cold therapy: Applying a hot or cold compress to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.
5. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient technique that involves inserting thin needles into certain points on the body to stimulate nerve endings and reduce pain.
6. Massage: Massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and provide pain relief.
7. Distraction: Keeping your mind busy by reading a book, watching a movie, or doing something creative can help distract you from your pain.
8. Seeking professional help: If your pain is chronic or severe, it may be helpful to seek the advice of a medical professional or therapist.
9. Self-care: Practicing self-care activities such as taking a warm bath, getting enough sleep, or practicing deep breathing exercises can help you manage your pain and reduce stress.
-
When life gets hard, and mental/physical pain occurs, remember that you are not alone. Everyone is going through their own challenges in life and you never know who you may help by getting vulnerable about your pain.