Living with Chronic Pain? Build a Flare Toolkit to Prepare for When Pain Crashes Your Plans
Summer is wrapping up, and Spooky Season is just around the corner! But guess who keeps showing up to every event uninvited? Chronic pain. 🙃
That’s why having a pain flare toolkit is key! It’s your go-to strategy for enjoying your life—even if chronic pain keeps crashing your plans.
Why You Need a Pain Flare Toolkit
Living with chronic pain means unpredictability. One day, the pain might feel bearable. The next day…it might feel like you’re going to lose if the pain doesn’t calm down a little. A flare-up toolkit isn’t a magic solution, but it gives you practical ways to move through the hardest days. It reminds you that you’ve made it through 100% of your worst days and you’ll make it through this one.
Common Pain Flare Toolkit Essentials
🧊 Practical tools to reduce pain/manage symptoms
📺 Distractions to calm the mind
🚫 Boundaries to protect your energy and reduce overwhelm
What’s in My Toolkit*
🧊 Practical tools:
Emergency pain meds
Ice packs (at least 2-3 so one is always frozen and ready to use!)
Heating pad (PureRelief XXL Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad)
Naps
Sprite Zero/Ginger Ale Zero
Tens Units (Auvon Tens Unit)
📺 Distractions:
Comfort tv shows (All-time favorites: NCIS, West Wing, and Kitchen Nightmares)
Floating in a pool
Low energy games (Animal Crossing, 2048, I Love Hue)
Low energy hobbies (Henna, crocheting, bringing back the ‘90s with making beaded animal keychains)
Snuggling with my dogs
🚫 Boundaries:
Saying no to plans without justifying myself
Limiting decisions (Big rule: No making big life decisions!)
Not beating myself up for not being able to do things I want to
*Ps. These are products and strategies I’ve relied on over the years. No affiliate links here! Just real-life recommendations from someone who gets it.
Build a Toolkit that Works for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing chronic pain. Over time, you’ll begin to discover what works best for you. It might take some trial and error—and that’s okay. You will figure it out and keep creating a life you love, even with chronic pain.
