Flare days are THE worst.

You know, those days when just being alive hurts? With my fibromyalgia, I get those pretty regularly. I can feel surprisingly good in between, but on those flare days, it feels like those good days were a fairytale.

Over the years, I have acquired some go-to remedies for managing these god-awful days, and I wanted to share them with you!* 

Take or leave what you like. These can be game changers, for me, Tracie the Chargie:

1. Relaxation 😌 techniques:

There are so many out there, and yes, sometimes people can get preachy with them, but that’s also because they CAN work. So might as well give them a try!

For me, deep breathing is EVERYTHING. Whether I'm in acute sharp pain or long, throbby pain, long deep breaths really do take the edge off and help my body relax as much as it can. (ex: google "Box breathing").

Along with this, I’d say any form of meditation and/or guided imagery can help relax and reduce stress, which can help reduce pain.

2. Heat 🔥 and cold 🧊:

Applying heat or cold to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation. While the “affected” area can be everywhere sometimes (I know it can be for me), moving it around can be soothing as well. Try using a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm towel for heat therapy, and ice packs or cold compresses for cold therapy.

I personally have used these pads because you can make them hot OR cold!

(I ❤️ wearing my Dolman t-shirts because they are SUPER soft but also loose-fitting, so I can stuff heating or cooling things underneath without stretching it out.

3. Light physical activity:

Ok. Hear me out. This obviously depends on what we’re talking about. Especially since earlier I said that on flare days it just hurts to be alive.

BUT sometimes gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming (active floating?), can help improve circulation and reduce pain. Sometimes just lifting my arms in a controlled manner up and down makes my body feel capable and therefore, less painful.

Take it or leave it. Might work, might not!

4. Sleep 🛌 + water 💧:

Maybe this is a “duh” maybe it’s not. Either way I’m mentioning it here because a combo of sleep + water always SAVES ME.

When I'm having one of my 24 hours from hell where it hurts to even speak, I check out from the world and do nothing but sleep and drink water. Not soda. Not tea. Not Gatorade. Water. Clean, simple water.

I eat if I can (though it’s totally possible to not eat for a day), but again, it will be simple. Hopefully nutritious as well if I can get my hands on it (i.e. someone makes me food or I order in).

And yes, real restorative sleep. Not laying and watching TV or even reading. Actual undisturbed sleep.  In general, rest is essential for healing and managing pain, so get as comfy and cozy as you can, and let the sleep and water do the work to bring you back to life.

Helps to have a cozy blanket to cocoon into as well.

5. Seeking 🤝 support:

I hope you know the Chargie community is here for you – 24/7. Hop on our Facebook or Instagram pages and connect with people who “get it” in seconds.

However, there is so much good in also talking to people who don’t get it, too! This is a way of making our relationships strong. Vulnerability begets vulnerability (thanks, Brene Brown!) and by sharing our feelings we genuinely connect with others. They don’t have to understand or put themselves in your shoes. They just have to listen and be there for you.

So if you have a friend or family member that you trust to be there for you, reach out to them during the tough pain times.

I love telling my husband what Im experiencing, and he is as healthy as can be. Yet, he is totally there for me, and some of my worst days have brought us closer together. 

Besides, speaking our feelings out loud is a form of therapy in and of itself! (And you could always see a therapist on your non-flare days…which I personally HIGHLY recommend). 

There you have it. My big 5 to survive a flare!

Have your own? Comment to share!

*Please consult a doctor before trying anything medically. I may have a lot of experience with health care, but I am certainly NOT a care professional. 

Check out our "My Flare Day" Collection