Oops, that was supposed to say "possible", not "pissible"! Laughing also helps. :)

I tend to do things for others, like baking cupcakes or making dolls or crocheting a lacy scarf for a friend. I find the act of crocheting to be kind of like meditation for me, except I have a tangible result. I've made over 15 dolls for my friends and family, and hope to keep going til I run out of people to make them for (which could be a while, as I know too many people in pain).

If you can get the time alone, I find reading in the bathtub to be heavenly. The combination of warm water and a good book just lets my mind wander away from the pain. I just can't read cookbooks in the bath, because I'll see a recipe I have the ingredients for, and be too temped to try it!

I used to make jewelery, but the rising cost of supplies and lack of good bead shops in my area made me switch to yarn. It's got the same benefit as crochet, plus you can wear what you make when you're done.

I play games on Facebook, read, and snuggle with my Ridgeback Mix Phoenix. As soon as I can get a better computer I'm gonna start writing a cookbook.

I joined luminosity a brain training course to help me recover my thinking skills since I vegetated for 12 years. The games are fun and help you think clearly and quickly.

When I was physically healthy, I used to go for hikes to get rid of my stress/anxiety. Of course that is not an option for me anymore. I find meditation a good tool. Guided meditation may help you keep your mind on healing the pain (keep your attention more).

I use visual imagery to take me away from my pain.

I close my eyes and picture myself laying on the beach with the warm sun flowing into my body and the ocean waves rolling at my feet.

I have had something that helps me a lot. It includes deep breathing, laying on the floor with my feet up on the couch, and saying sun is warm, sky is blue, grass is green. I picture myself floating in my old pool on a warm sunny day. and just letting all of the pain float away. I also play games on my phone when I cant sleep and feel antsy from the pain.

Daydreaming, Web-surfing, Music, watching my favorite TV shows/channels, or simply going to my pain specialists

hi jasp - i am looking for good posts to respond to and like yours -

i am new to this group and ds alltogether but - this is what i do - come on here and hope to find a person who understands how i feel, or wants to be silly or someone who can understand a question i have even if they do not have the answer, you understand i think.

this is where i come to get away from constant pain and trying to figure out what to do, or what not to do.

there have been some great answers to your question too. i have not yet been able to learn how to control breathing but am expecting to soon - must be a great tool in tool box.

wanted to learn martial arts of some sort for that very reason - and to center and to not be afraid. now, might learn how in physical therapy.

glad you asked that question. thank you jasp435

its painting for me

I sing.

Hurtingheart, I can't send you a note, but I love your avatar face.

I think it helps to establish activities you enjoy doing and finding a way to do them without causing yourself further pain.

Talking does help... I find though that sometimes it's better to talk about things OTHER than just how you're feeling and what ails you, because if you're talking about it then you're dwelling on it. But if you do have hobbies or other interests you would want to hear what others have to say about those things and would want to talk about yourself, then I would suggest looking into the member groups here to find some that are about non-health related subjects that might interest you.