find new hobbies you CAN do.....

make a list of books you've never gotten around to reading, and ask a friend to borrow a few at a time for you from the library

make or do something for charity

have your kids read to when you can't do anything else with them

decorate canisters (coffee cans, mason jars, wine carafes...) to collect spare change.  Place them in local markets and merchants.

write letters on behalf of the persecuted, imprisoned and enslaved Christians in the Far East. 

Have your glasses adjusted often to avoid tender spots on your nose and behind your ears

use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth to help with the itchy painful teeth sensation

if you have IBS, try lowering your dairy intake

for sore, knotty feeling feet, try peppermint lotion, applied by grasping around your foot and gently pulling towards your toes, lightly dragging thumbs along the soles of your feet

use a lap pillow, and pillows under your arms when you read to avoid strain on your upper arms

collect something small that makes you smile..bookmarks, magnets,stickers, stamps......let your family and friends know you collect them, and look through your collection often

never add any medication, even a supplement, without checking with your pharmacist or doctor

make soemthing to raffle off at church to raise money for a favorite charity

keep instant coffee, creamer, sugar and teabags where guests can easily find them, and let them help themselves. 

make a list of favorite and comforting bible verse s and carry them with you

carry a purse with a wide strap and as few contents as possible to avoid further shoulder pain

be an active well-informed member of your health care team

keep a tall kitchen stool near your stove and sink

make a pain chart to share with your doctors

for specific spot or TP pain, try rheumatism plasters. (Salon Pas works best for me, inexpensive and not too smelly)

don't put added stress on yourself by signing up for things in advance, or give yourself a rigid schedule

put a nicely patterned pillowcase on your heating pad, decorate your hot water bottle...

listen to books on tape if you can't read comfortably

buy or make a little dream pillow,

don't keep your medicine bottles on your night stand,put them in the cabinet

gel insoles might help your bottom of the foot pain

find a support group (on-line works best for me)

find something to laugh about in your illness (fibrofog can be VERY funny!)

restless pain?  try herbal tea, your favorite afghan, a rocking chair and classical music

take a warm shower every day or night

do something nice for someone who is worse off than you

change into pretty sweats or housecoats instead of staying in jammies orwearing drab,  ugly housecleaning clothes ( you know which ones I am talking about)

avoid wearing clothes with zippers and buttons if you have a lot of hand and finger pain

use a weekly pill box organizer for regular meds so you don't get confused

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