Some simple daily habits to cope with chronic pain

Exercise is like Catch 22. One doesn't exercise as one has pain. But not exercising makes your pain worse. Fortunately, even mild exercise releases endorphins, the feel-good brain chemicals that lift mood and block pain. Ask your doctor if aerobic, strengthening, or stretching exercises can give your body the boost -- and relief -- it needs.

Breathing, Meditation, and Biofeedback 

As most of us are so busy, that we hardly get time to think what we're doing. But with deep breathing exercise, meditation & biofeedback are all stress management techniques, which helps to calm our minds & relax our bodies. This itself helps to lessen the pain.

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol may help one to fall asleep, but it won't be a sound sleep, resulting in restless night. What one needs is a good stress free night with sound sleep which itself will make one feel fresh & less painful on awakening.

Quit Smoking

Smoking may give temporary relief from stress & pain. But often contributes to more pain in the long run. it slows down healing process, makes circulation poor & increases the risk of degenerative disc problems, causing back aches.

Eating Better Boosts your body

 The best way to make your body strong is eating a well balanced diet, as that would improve blood sugar, helps one to maintain proper weight, reduces heart related diseases & improves digestion. The diet should include fresh fruits & vegetables, with lots of fiber, whole grains, low fat  proteins, less of saturated fats.

Record your pain regularly each day.

By recording one's pain daily with different activities by scoring them from 1- 10, at the end of each day, it will help the doctor to know the cause of pain & help to manage it better.

Be Emotionally & physically strong

One needs to be emotionally & physically strong, as then it helps to handle all types of situations better. One should have the courage to say NO when one feels against any activity which may upset their schedule. It is better to spend quality time with one's family & friends than waste time with those who don't care for you or with undesired parties.

Distract Yourself

The best way to forget pain is to keep oneself busy with what they like. So the best thing is to develop a hobby if you already don't have one. The hobby should be what you really enjoy doing or want to do, not because someone has suggested it. E.g., gardening, cooking, crocheting, teaching, designing etc.

Understand Your Medicines

Understand the medicines and their side effects. Learn about other treatment options. Your goal is to have a normal mood and activity level -- if you don't, then a different medicine might be better for you. Your job is to be proactive, to ask questions, and look for answers.

Reach out

Remember that you're not the only one suffering with chronic pain, there are many like you. Reach out to them to learn how they're coping with their pain. Learn to ask for help when you need it, as you'd know your condition better than others or your limitations better. Share what you know with others.

For more info on these, you may read-

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/chronic-pain-11/slideshow-pain-tips?ecd=wnl_cbp_060911