Anyone who has or is currently dealing with a chronic pain condition knows just how physically draining the issue can be. Good days can be exhausting, and it can be hard to muster up the energy to just get out of bed on the bad days. However, it’s important that you get out and be active, as exercise and interactions with others can help to manage your pain condition. But how can you find the energy to thrive in the face of a chronic pain condition? We share some tips for how you can boost your energy if you’re often fatigued due to a chronic pain condition.

Finding More Energy If You Have Chronic Pain

Here are some ways you can work to become more energized in the face of chronic pain.

1. Improve Your Diet – One of the simplest ways to get more energy is to tweak your diet a bit. Foods that are high in fat can leave you feeling sluggish, and while sugar may provide a short-term boost in energy, it also has a propensity to cause you to come crashing down. Instead, choose healthier foods that will help to fuel your body. Fruits, leafy vegetables, nuts, fish and beans are all packed full of vitamins and nutrients that can help provide the right kind of energy for your body.

2. Exercise – It may seem odd that a physically draining activity like exercise can actually help you feel more energized, but it’s true. Exercise gets your heart rate up and increases blood flow to the brain, both of which can help you feel more energized. A high intensity workout can leave you feeling tired, but some light exercise like walking, cycling or swimming can leave you feeling more energized than when you started the activity.

3. Healthy Sleep – We understand that chronic pain can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. but it’s really important that you work to get in a healthy sleep rhythm if you want to feel more energized in the morning. Going to bed at irregular times and sleeping with a bright television on can make it harder to achieve good restful sleep. You can learn more about developing a healthy sleep routine if you have chronic pain in this blog.

4. Find Your Stress Outlet – Chronic pain can be extremely stressful, but we’re willing to bet that it is not the only form of stress in your life. Stress can be physically draining, so it’s imperative that you find healthy ways to manage stress. Whether that involves exercise, breathing techniques, yoga or any other technique that works for you, if you can find a healthy way to manage stress, you may find a little extra pep in your step.

5. Stay Hydrated – A final way to help avoid feeling achy, cramped and fatigued is by staying hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, your muscles will tire more easily, and it can also lead to a chronic pain flareup. Try to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. A good goal to aim for is to take your body weight, cut it in half and drink that many ounces of water eat day.

If you follow those five techniques and you connect with a pain management specialist like Dr. Cohn who can give you the individualized attention you need, we’re confident that you’ll feel more energized and gain more control over your chronic pain condition. For more information, contact his office today at (952) 738-4580.