artwork by Kyntha (Leonie Jonk)
Living with someone who is suffering from chronic pain or a chronic illness isn’t always easy. People don’t realize the toll the disease has on an entire family unit. In this article, we will look at 5 ways you can support your spouse or partner’s chronic pain.
Listen (Even When It’s Hard)
When someone experiences chronic pain they often have a need to talk about it with the people closest to them. Let’s face it, even the most attentive spouse can tune out of listening to repeated conversations. It can become tedious hearing the same complaints on a daily basis, but it is an important part of how your spouse/partner manages their pain.
Being a sounding board for them is one of the most important roles you can play, so listening when it’s hard is critical. Having a safe space to talk about their pain or illness can make a world of difference for your spouse/partner.
Educate Yourself
Arming yourself with as much information as possible is another great way to support your spouse/partner’s chronic pain. Everything from understanding the most current treatments and research to helping manage the medical system are great ways to help ease the burden on your spouse/partner.
Walk The Path With Them
One very helpful strategy you can employ to support your spouse/partner is to be on their journey with them. Instead of being a bystander, walk the path with them. Accompany them to an appointment if you can. If yoga or swimming or acupuncture help, then join them. By having someone walking the path with them, they will feel supported in their day-to-day life.
Help Them Manage Stress
Anyone who experiences chronic pain or loves someone that does knows that the stress that goes along with it is tremendous. This is why helping your spouse manage their stress level and its impact on their health is a great tip. While you can’t eliminate the stress in their life, you can encourage them to take steps to manage stress.
Manage Your Own Stress
Caregiver stress can burn people out even when they are not providing round the clock care. Managing your own stress and anxiety is one way that you can stay engaged with your partner and not burn out. Take time out to care for yourself so you can continue to care for your loved one.
Finding ways to support your spouse when they are dealing with chronic pain is not easy. While all you want to do is take their pain away, you can’t. However, you are a very important part of their journey. By using these strategies you can continue to be the support system your spouse/partner needs.
If you are looking for tools for both yourself and the person you love, check out Flowly, which can teach you helpful tools like controlling your heart rate and breathing to manage pain.
