Something Nubian

By LaTrecia Doyle-Thaxton

Happy Saturday, a day that is ruled by the planet Saturn, which would make the “Saturn-day”!

Is today a self-care day for you or just another day living with chronic pain?

Believe it or not, some don’t really know or ‘innerstand’ what self-care looks, feels, tastes, smells, or sounds like.  

I have been there, so I totally empathize.

If this is your first time reading any of my blogs: When I was diagnosed back in 2009, I was afraid to tell anyone about this illness. I thought it was something like an STD although it affected my entire body, and I was ashamed because I could not move like those my age. So, I became a hermit.

It was hard letting go of who I used to be with a regular life, a job, and a gym membership and telling myself I would take those yoga classes one day but too afraid because I thought I would pass gas while holding a long stretch in front of all of those people, not even knowing all the benefits of yoga at the time.

Also, back then, I never saw anyone who looked like me in a yoga class and that made it hard to go but deep inside I really wanted to and so I convinced myself that I just didn’t have the time.

Today, I am overcoming things that I ran from and learned Egyptians (people from Kemet, Africans) practiced yoga according to things I have studied which was originally Shetaut Neter and yoga means spiritual union.

When you are in unison with your body spiritually dis-ease will not be much of an issue.

“But I was going to the gym!” (I thought) Yes, and I now know that some things like running and lifting weights are just as equal to achieving strength in our bodies as eating the right foods and using our own body weight.

I started practicing yoga about ten years ago and although I was not consistently doing so, I like to do it and find that when done often and properly it gives me energy and increases my mental state.

Yoga poses can be beneficial

Though it is challenging, I make a point to practice yoga for about 15-20 minutes daily and what I can not do I modify; my favorite pose is the child’s pose.

This pose stretches all the pain points connected to fibromyalgia, in me. Before learning this, I was stuck. I avoided working out and only walked but that caused flare-ups almost immediately after, and when I stopped I found myself on blood pressure medication.

I had no clue how to take care of myself, or what self-care was. All I know was I was a new mom again for the second time in sixteen years, working, in a relationship that I thought was serious and a degree that the ink was barely dried up on.

My life was going through the motions that led me here at this moment!

The importance of self-care and living with Fibromyalgia

Granted we all need self-care and living with chronic pain we have to take extra precautions, to make things manageable, such as the way we cook, clean, and make love. But holistic wellness became a must for me and it looks different for everyone. When I was diagnosed, I was on one income supporting four people, and balancing my chakras and BC powder was the only thing working.

I didn’t know a diet and stress affected this condition, when I became obese from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and medication, the doctors just said lose the weight, like being fat was why I had fibromyalgia pain. This is not true. It helps to be less heavy, yes, but food is causing everyone to be ill, period! Even healthy, skinny people.

I had to become aware of everything; even the medications I was on was in conflict with my mental health and had to remove some people, places, as well as things. And that was not easy.

Nurturing your mental health

When it comes to dealing with how you are feeling each day, start with the end in mind. And while nothing is guaranteed speaker Les Brown says the first twenty minutes of waking up controls your entire day. If you wake up in pain and give all your attention to it, then all your attention will go toward the pain, so when you wake up acknowledge it but don’t give it the power. Give the power to the spirit that lies within and tell yourself that you know this is not who you are.  

Journaling and affirmations have been my go to. I may not be able to control the pain and it’s levels but I can speak light into my life so that I can get through it mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Affirmations for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness

Daily routines that reduce stress and pain

Living with chronic pain usually does not come with a warning sign, well yes it does, dizziness, nausea, headache, and fatigue but for the most part you are really not sure when the flare will begin because it does not have a schedule so you must try to stick to a schedule as much as possible, and when you can not get things done, delegate! This reduces stress and when you reduce stress, you reduce pain.

You reduce stress by a process of elimination. You are valuable and there is always a way to show your worth, just focus on taking care of yourself in small steps.

Find out how to get this 🆓

I will end with this, listen to your body! Everyone will have advice, but no one knows your body but you, and you are not alone. Sometimes it feels as though no one understands how it feels to be in pain all the time and the mental, physical, and spiritual toll it can take on you but keep on educating those around you, rest as much as you need to, and move in silence.

So let’s recap: find some gentle yoga poses that work for you and wake up with a purpose, acknowledge that this dis-ease is a challenge and find the one thing that works to minimize it, then write that shit down so you don’t forget it and give yourself some affirmations to empower yourself, tell those around that don’t get it to go to bounce or help you which ever works!

Being self-aware is self-care, but what does it feel, taste, smell, sound, and look to you? Remember the five senses?

Here is a checklist to help you discover how that power while navigating life with fibromyalgia.

Sending positive energy

#FibromyalgiaCare, #SelfCareWithFibro

Key words: Holistic Wellness Fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia Self-Care, Yoga for Fibromyalgia, Affirmations for Chronic Illness, Fibromyalgia and Mental Health, Balancing Life with Fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia and Mental Health, Stress Relief Techniques