Daily Living
Coping Tips | Diet & Exercise | Relationships | Living Aids | Supplements
Living with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be a challenge, necessitating a variety of coping skills to help you make it through each day with a sense of satisfaction. Even if you are tired, a healthy diet and regular exercise will help maintain your ability to function. Learn which nutritional supplements are most likely to benefit you (especially when you don’t feel like cooking) and which types of movements should be avoided to minimize your pain. There are an abundance of living aids that can make life more comfortable and tasks easier to perform, so don’t hesitate to use them in your day-to-day living.
It’s essential that you discover effective coping and communication skills to prevent your illness from coming between you and the people you care about. Family and friends can sometimes be insensitive and a source of frustration, but don’t let them get you down. In fact, it is crucial that you learn how to nurture your relationships so that you have a strong social network and, when necessary, someone to lean on.
In the sections below, you will find advice on various aspects of daily living. Going through each day with an invisible condition is not easy, which is why you should find the following sections useful for helping improve the quality of your life.
Coping
Tips
Coping with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome is particularly difficult because the symptoms are invisible and chronic. A person can't simply "get over" fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome with the passage of time or wishful thinking. Fibromyalgia Network assists patients with a solution-oriented approach to handling awkward and sensitive situations in the quarterly Journal and monthly eNews Alerts. Click here to read coping tips for handling the symptoms and stressful situations brought on by your illness.
Diet
& Exercise
Being tired and in pain may interfere with your ability to cook nutritious meals. Many patients wonder if there are certain nutrients that you can supplement your diet with to improve muscle function. Another common concern is exercise. You know that your sore muscles need to be stretched and exercised, but what is the best way to do this without causing more pain? Click here to learn what you can do about diet and exercise.
Relationships
Maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, and others is no easy task, not even for people in excellent health. While you know it is important to nourish your relationships and stay active socially, accomplishing this feat when you have a chronic illness like fibromyalgia can seem impossible at times. Perhaps the other people in your life do not fully comprehend the nature of your illness or there is a lack of communication for your needs. Click here to read more about relationships.
Living
Aids
Practical use of living aids can make life easier and more comfortable for you. Stay on the lookout for aids that may reduce the strain on your muscles or those that work to sooth your aching body. Both types of aids can help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms and do not produce any of the side effects created by the use of medications. To learn about a few living aids recommended by Members of Fibromyalgia Network, click here.
Supplements
Nutritional supplements for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are everywhere you turn. In fact, there are numerous supplements that are advertised for treating every symptom that you have! Before you spend your paycheck loading up on supplements, you may also want to read our section on Consumer Alerts. Click here to check out our cost-conscious list of supplements that are most likely to help you.
