5 Ways to Take Your Mind off Nerve Pain

You may have received a lot of suggestions and advice on how to manage nerve pain. There is no doubt many techniques that can reduce nerve pain. While there may be a few that work well for you, there are always more. 

Having more than one way to take your mind off nerve pain is vital. That way, when one technique isn’t working that day, another can help. 

If you’re looking to add to your pain reduction arsenal, keep reading. These unique tips should result in you shifting your attention away from nerve pain. 

You deserve to enjoy life, even while struggling with pain. So, give a few of these tips a try to see if they work for you. 

1. Shift Your Focus to Other Parts of the Body 

Another effective way to distract yourself from the pain is by using a phrase known as altered focus. 

Altered focus is just that - a way for you to shift your focus. More specifically, you focus your attention on another part of your body. So, for example, you focus on the movement of your foot. Or, you concentrate on how your ears feel. 

Doing this a few times a day may alleviate the pain from a mental standpoint. In time, it may become a habit for you to focus on other parts of the body. And practicing altered focus can help when you’re feeling overwhelmed with pain.

2. Release More Endorphins 

Endorphins are powerful. Why might you ask? Well, they have the power to reduce your nerve pain! When released, they block pain signals that register with your brain. In other words, they kick pain to the curb! 

Endorphins are mainly associated with exercise. But high-intensity exercise may not be an option for you. Instead, you may want to try swimming, which is a low-impact exercise. Swimming may be low-impact, but it can release just as many endorphins. 

Other ways to receive the positive effects of endorphins are through massage and meditation. 

Try a few different ways to release endorphins. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at how effective it is at blocking nerve pain! 

3. Inhale Cannabis or Try CBD 

Inhaling cannabis may not be top on your list. But, believe it or not, it can reduce nerve pain. A study by a group of professionals at the University of California in San Diego found promising results. The results of the study were that inhaling cannabis can alleviate pain for up to several hours. 

Cannabis is effective because cannabis stimulates nerve pain receptors. The result of this stimulation is reduced inflammation in the nervous system. 

If you’d like to ease pain without using THC, CBD is an excellent alternative. Lotions and creams work well if you apply them where you’re feeling nerve pain the most. Look for cream products that have full- or broad-spectrum for the most benefits.

4. Color in Adult Coloring Books

You may be thinking that coloring is for children. It’s true — children love to color, but adults can enjoy it as well! If you have yet to try coloring, it may be your ticket to feeling less pain. 

Adult coloring books have the word adult in them because the patterns are more intricate. So, due to their intricacy, it takes more concentration to color. 

Side note: There are all sorts of adult coloring books available! Whatever theme you’re interested in, there’s sure to be one available. Ocean themes, television shows, and even cursing coloring books are a few examples. 

But let’s get back to how it takes your mind off of the pain. As you focus on coloring, you find yourself concentrating on the masterpiece you’re creating. Soon, coloring turns off the background noise in your mind. And for a little while, your nerve pain will fade to the background. 

5. Soothe the Pain with Hot or Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy are two other ways to combat the nerve pain you experience. You can switch off and on between the two by using cold and hot packs on your back. Trying both hot and cold therapy will give you guidance on what works best for your body. 

Cold therapy reduces inflammation and works as a local anesthetic. Since it’s an anesthetic, it slows down nerve impulses and reduces nerve spasms. 

Using heat therapy has similar benefits. Its benefits are that it stimulates blood flow, which gives the body nutrients. Whatsmore, it prohibits pain messengers that get sent to the brain. 

Conclusion

At times you may feel discouraged and have a challenging time overcoming your pain. That’s normal, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. 

Your mind is a powerful tool, so use it to your advantage! Through coloring, inhaling marijuana, and doing other activities, your pain should lessen. 

Keep in mind that it may take a while for these tips and others to help. So, keep pushing forward until you find some techniques that make life more enjoyable.