Lupus

Living with lupus is a challenge to say the least. These are some techniques I use to cope with the emotional pain and physical stress of lupus.

Blah blah disclaimer: consult with your physician before trying these at home.

5 Things Lupies Should Do Everyday

1. Breathing. Sounds like an automatic function right? With lupus it’s not always so easy. We get numerous pulmonary illnesses and pleurisy that makes breathing itself painful. When we do not breath correctly our oxygen levels go down and oxygen is vital to repair the damage lupus does. So here’s what helps me, turn off the noise; TV, radio and inner dialog. Take a deep slow breath in until it fills up the diaphram, slowly controlling it let it out and count 1. Do it again count 2 on the exhale, again 3 on the exhale and 4. Then start all over again on 1. 1234 1234

2. Music. If you play an instrument, play it at least 15 minutes everyday. Otherwise listen to music, sing to music. This helps reset the brain and get you out of the pain cycle.

3. Don’t be a victim of lupus. Acknowledge you are suffering, cry out to God, tell whoever will listen, then let it go. Try not to give it anymore power. Words are power, thoughts are power. You must believe you are whole just as you are and capable of living a fulfilling life. Accept the fact that no one but fellow lupies are going to fully understand.

4. Count your blessings everyday. Literally go over in your mind all the good things in your life. Focus on those good things.

5. Leave your body behind and reach out to others to ease their suffering in any way possible. Even if it is to pray for them. Shift your thoughts from yourself to them.