Surviving the Holidays When You Have Fibromyalgia

Planning to survive the holidays is your first step when you have fibromyalgia. You won't get very far without a plan. The plan should include all the tasks and accomplishments including participation in holiday events that you wish to see yourself be able to do during the holidays.

The holidays can be a stressful time even when you are a healthy individual.

Throw in a condition that is chronic such as fibromyalgia in which you are in almost constant pain and the holidays can be anything but cheerful.

Surviving the holidays when you have fibromyalgia takes planning ahead of time, prioritizing how you spend your time and energy, and pacing yourself.

Planning to survive the holidays is your first step when you have fibromyalgia. You won't get very far without a plan.

The plan should include all the tasks and accomplishments including participation in holiday events that you wish to see yourself be able to do during the holidays.

The things on your list should include things like food and gift shopping, holiday decorations (the making and putting up), holiday baking and cooking, all the trimmings such as wrapping gifts, stuffing the stockings, going to holiday parties and dinners, family get-togethers, work parties, and holiday trips or outings such as finding a tree, going to holiday movies etc., all the things that make the holidays special.

Put everything on this planning list that you enjoy doing during the holidays and things that you don't want your fibromyalgia to hold you back from.

Now go through your list and number the items based on the priority they have in your life...how important is it to go to that office party versus being able to go to the Christmas eve service with your family?

Which items on your list absolutely have to be done? What items on your list bring you the most joy?

Make sure that your list of priorities is based on what is important to you instead of what others expect you to be able to do during the holidays.

Pace yourself...you do not have to complete your list all in one day or all in one week.

Obviously certain things on your list have a timing that is not in your control such as holiday parties and family dinners and other special events, but the things on your list that can be done over a more general time period during the weeks leading up to the holidays can be designated into a order that will allow you to pace yourself giving plenty of time to rest in-between events or tasks.

Simplify tasks whenever possible, delegate to others instead of doing everything yourself.

Build in recovery time in-between events and tasks. Take time to enjoy the holidays and remember to pay close attention to your treatment plan.

Do not allow yourself to get off your medication schedule or to skip necessary occupation/physical therapy or massage therapy appointments.

Your health is important and caring for your condition will allow you to enjoy the atmosphere of the holidays better if you are not suffering the consequences of not taking good care of yourself.