Welcome to the latest PainSupport newsletter. In our newsletters we give you top tips and techniques so you can live as full a life as possible.

Come and join us on our Forum for your concerns and comments.
Go to our Shop for books, relaxation CDs and Downloads.

First, read our take on the ever popular topic about how to handle visits and visitors...
 
 

I live in the far southwest of the country which is a popular holiday destination. Every year various members of my family and friends book holidays nearby and come to visit me. This year I had a bumper crop of visitors.

These visitors know me and my limitations well, so the visits are enjoyable. They don't overstay or expect me to do things I find difficult. We have fun catching up with each other and, with all their stories, help me to keep in touch.

I know how easy it is to become isolated and feel left out when in pain. It's important that we make the effort to stay connected with other people in whichever ways we can.

Here are a few suggestions to help make visits as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

• Enjoy your visit and visitors!


• The key to being able to relax and enjoy the occasion is forward planning.


• If your visitors aren't already aware of your situation, discuss with them what you can manage to make visits easier for you. If you can only have visitors for a short time, say so. For me, depending on how I am, I range from 30 minutes to an hour maximum.


• If your pain levels start to become uncomfortable, take the initiative yourself. Don't wait for someone to say, 'Are you all right?' Take things into your own hands. Be matter of fact and say, 'Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment.' Then, quietly, slip out to another room or walk outside and try to relax for five minutes or so.


• You may prefer not to talk about your health issues. If so, steer the conversation away from yourself. A good method is to ask questions starting with Who, How, Which, Why, When, Where, What. This encourages people to reply in length, rather than give a Yes or No answer.
  People love talking about themselves and they will go away thinking they've had a great time! You may learn lots of new things too. Everyone has a story to tell.


• Plan to have a quiet day the day before seeing people, and a rest day afterwards.


• If your visitors are slow to go, try saying something like this,
  'Well...' as you stand up or get their attention, 'It's been absolutely lovely to see you...'
  Most visitors will take the hint and leave promptly.


• After the visit, you may like to jot down what worked and what didn't, and what it might be better to do another time. Then congratulate yourself and indulge in a good rest!

With careful planning and pacing you will be ready to make the most of your visit and visitors and enjoy a really good time.

---

Make contact with others.
No-one understands the full experience of pain like another person with a similar condition. If you aren't already a member of the PainSupport Contact Club and/or our Discussion Forum and could do with some extra support, you are most welcome to join us.
Forum and Contact Club

---

Did you like this article?
Send us your comments, we love to hear from you.
Email us at PainSupport here
or use our Contact form here

If you find it difficult to explain your energy and pain levels, try the spoon theory:
Spoon Theory website

and WikiHow cartoons:
Understand someonewith chronic pain

'Struggling to be me' on YouTube:
YouTube video

and our forum topic:
To pass on to family and friends

There's a section on good relationships on our website:
Making Good Relationships
 

All of Jan's CDs have been voted top relaxation CDs by people such as BackCare.org, Holland and Barrett and Woman's Weekly Magazine. Full details from our Shop

	Get A Good Night's Sleep! Our CD is rated the top sleep CD by Woman's Weekly, it really does work, sleep virtually guaranteed. Download CD or book, including the CD
	Our highly recommended Pain Relief Without Drugs CD is ideal for anyone with pain. The first track is a short talk by Jan, which is followed by five different truly relaxing tracks. Download CD or book, including the CD
	Choose 'Relax & Release your Pain' for lovely relaxation tracks plus self-management tips for pain relief. Download CD
	'Perfect Relaxation' is just what its name says. Eight different tracks of perfect relaxation. Explore a tropical paradise, take a walk by the sea, relax by a stream or discover your own secret hideaway. Download CD
	And, of course, our popular 'Pacing for Pain Relief Workbook' for just £3.00. Download

Jan's CDs always include simple techniques for breathing for pain relief. Also, of course, there are tracks for pure relaxation using visualisation and relaxation techniques. All you need to do is listen to Jan's soothing voice and your pain and tension will float away!

Go to our Shop to download or buy CDs or books.
 

We have lots of goodies for you.

Click the links below for your really useful downloadables.

• 'How to Find a Diagnosis' tips and checklist download
• Your 'How to Be as Well as Possible - Every Day' worksheet
• Your 'Affirmations/Mood Changers/Feel-good Words' worksheet
• Relaxation Collection 1. Visualisation & relaxation techniques
• Relaxation Collection 2. Relaxation & relief from stress and pain
• Step 1 of your goals. Your Goals worksheet
• Step 2 of your goals. Your Goal Achiever worksheet
• Log 1: Diary of your pain levels
• Log 2: How feelings & activities affect your pain