Reduce

Don’t stop

You know what it’s like. You come home from work and your pain is all you can think about. All you want to do is curl up on the couch and do nothing. Your usual habit when you get home is to walk your dog in the park for 1 hour. But you know you just can’t do an hour.

So what can you do? Reduce the activity.

Do something that’s manageable for the level of pain you have. Take your dog for a 20 minute walk instead. You’ll get the exercise you need, you’ll get some fresh air, and your dog will stop giving you the looks that make you feel so guilty!

By reducing your activities rather than stopping, you can still enjoy the benefits of being active and involved.

Make a plan to gradually increase your activity levels by a small amount each week. Get advice from your doctor or physiotherapist about how to increase your activity levels safely.

Keep your family and friends involved by discussing your pain management plan with them. They can be a great source of support and encouragement.

Take small steps and pace yourself. Waiting until you feel 100% before returning to activities or to work isn’t a good approach. Small, gradual steps allow you to stay connected and mean that you can continue to do the things that are important to you, sooner rather than later.

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