Distraction CAN Reduce Pain

Here is some interesting research about how distracting activity not only takes our conscious focus away from our pain, but actually distracts our brain from focusing on the pain, too. My comment, following the post, asks if the results would be the same for people with actual pain syndromes (the study was done on 'normal' subjects, with an artificially induced, more controllable pain stimulus).  The How To Cope With Pain blog is one of the blogs I follow, and have referenced here on other occasions.

Uniquely Me

I have mentioned before the How to Cope With Pain blog and website.  If you have not checked them out, please do so, they are very informative and interesting.  The author of that blog had a contest last month where people submitted posts and he drew 9 winners randomly to win books related to coping with pain.  (I won one of them.)  Now he is reaping the benefits by posting the various writings.  Several days ago, an essay I wrote was published on his blog (See- I told you the blog was interesting!)
Here is a brief excerpt: 
If I had had my choice years ago, I would have preferred not to be ill. But it’s an integral part of who I am, what I do, and how I live my life. My illness has served me in its contribution to the character of this support group. It’s unlikely that this group would even exist if I did not have illness and pain. I would still be able to work full time, and likely would not have thought to start a group for issues I had not experienced.
Go read the rest of my post, and while you are there, explore the site.

I Can

What can I do that is productive that won't stress my elbow or my knees?  I can do almost anything on my computer, because I can sit in my comfortable recliner, with my laptop computer in my lap.  I can read, as long as it is not one of those books that requires strength to hold it open.  I can watch a movie with my sweetie.  I can do a jigsaw puzzle.  I can call my sister/brother/best friend from college.  I can exercise in the water.  I can  pet a cat or dog.  I can daydream.  I can reminisce.  I can make plans for a glorious vacation I will take only in my mind.  I can eat a Popsicle or a peach.  I can listen to the birds in the trees and watch the butterflies in my garden.  I can sing with my favorite music.  I can tell a story to a child.  I can toast marshmallows.  I can stargaze.  I can meditate.  I can pray.  I can say "I love you" to the people in my life.  I can say "thank you", and "please" and "bless you".  I can practice using my left hand, and laugh at my mistakes.  I can take a hot shower.  I can get a massage.  I can I can laugh, I can cry, I can smile at a secret only I know.  I can be gentle with myself and accept myself as I am.  

I can.

How to Cope With Pain Blog July 2010

How to Cope With Pain blog has again chosen one of my posts to feature in their Pain Blog Carnival, July 2010.    Check it out- How to Cope With Pain is an excellent blog in itself, and the monthly carnival is a list of posts from various blogs that he thinks are worth reading.  My post that is listed is one I wrote On May 1. 2010, about helping yourself feel better by singing and doing Random Acts of Kindness.  (You can do them both at once, if you like, or spread them out.)