Embracing My Inner Nerd Helps Me Cope With Chronic Pain

Distractions are a valuable way to cope with pain and fatigue from psoriatic arthritis when nothing else seems to help. Some of my favorite distractions are crocheting and digital painting and I'm grateful that psoriatic arthritis hasn't taken those hobbies away from me.

There are times that these hobbies and distractions are too demanding. Sometimes the fatigue is too overwhelming to focus. Other times, arthritis makes sitting up too painful. There are many times I go weeks without doing anything creative because I just don't have it in me.

The benefit of distractions for psoriatic pain

When I find it too painful to make my art, I choose to admire other people's work. Over the years, I've grown increasingly fond of TV and film. From classics to new releases, I've watched different series and entire movie collections. While it sounds a little dorky, I've grown to know and love so many characters.

And when nothing new was out or I was tired of re-watching old favorite pieces of media, I watch Youtube videos where people critique them or share the history of filming and production. Sometimes I'll even find documentaries about the lives of the stars. You might say I'm a nerd, and I'd agree - but that's okays since it got me through some rough patches!

While watching movies, TV, and Youtube videos may seem a little lazy, they're the things that take my mind off of my health struggles. Plus, they've benefitted me in a couple of unexpected ways:

A mix of engagement and relaxtion

Sometimes, I need help unwinding when I feel like I have the weight of the world on my aching shoulders. While it's fun to be on the edge of your seat during a new episode of your favorite show, there are times that I want to watch things that are calming.

For example, I love watching Jane Austen adaptations to relax; the familiar stories are so calming, and the fantastic sets never fail to transport me to another time.

Having something to discuss

There are times when flares are all-encompassing and dominate my life. Many times, all I do is sleep, go to work, come home and rest for work, repeat.

It can be hard sometimes to think about things to talk about when things either aren't going well or don't feel comfortable discussing what's going on. Following new shows, or even just watching cult classics, helps me always have something to talk about. Even when there isn't much going on in my life, I still have something interesting to discuss with others.

Having something to look forward to

They also help to stave off bouts of the blues, which I've dealt with time and time again when my pain and fatigue levels are getting out of hand.

While I won't credit The Office as a cure for depression, I can say that having something to look forward to helps me stay hopeful. Even if things are going wrong, I still have the next season of The Mandalorian to look forward to.

Find the right distraction for you

While watching favorite TV shows and movies helps me get through hard times, they're not the only things that help distract me. I also love listening to podcasts and music, reading on my Kindle, and playing along with game shows.

What are your go-to activities when you're flaring?