In our biweekly Chronic Pain Support Group we explored “Making Room in Your Brain (for something other than pain)”. We shared our brainstorm answers to the following questions.
Question: Imagine some space in your brain is clearing and leaving room for other things not related to pain. What would you like to make space for?
Here are some of our group’s answers:
- Learning to play piano or another musical instrument
- Doing a puzzle
- Playing games (card games, board games, etc.)
- Generating creative ideas for helping people and/or animals
- Learning a new language
- Small goals that build toward a bigger goal (Zechariah 4:10 – “Do not despise small beginnings”)
Question: Symptoms are always wanting our attention. We also find ourselves spending time seeking answers from doctors and other resources. Therefore, pain can occupy much space in our brains. What are some ways we can keep “pain” from taking up all of the real estate in our brain?
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Focus on the parts of your body that are working well
- Get outside of ourselves and serve another
- Practice meditation (Calm app and Pause app)
- Find couch-based exercises (exercise can have a powerful impact on our brains – “Spark” book J. Ratey)
- Listen to audio books and podcasts (occupy your mind with helpful or encouraging information)
- Fill your minds with scripture or other inspiration writings
- Pray
- Laughter/humor – find “Dry Bar Comedy” or other comedians on You Tube
- Go outside and get some sun
- Play with some fun toys!
Pain demands too much of our attention. Wishing you the best as you make strides to carve out small but significant space in your brain for some of the above creative ideas.