Living with chronic pain can be an around-the-clock battle. Luckily, medical transportation makes life easier, allowing you to comfortably and safely get to and from doctor’s appointments. There are also some habits you can incorporate into your routine to better cope with the mental and physical challenges posed by your symptoms.

3 Lifestyle Tips for Dealing With Chronic Pain

1. Exercise

During exercise, the body releases endorphins, also known as “feel-good” hormones. Endorphins help block pain receptors, reducing your perception of discomfort. Exercising can also help you lose weight and build muscle, reducing symptoms of back and joint pain.

Physical activity doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. Simply taking a 30-minute walk, doing yoga, and stretching can bring benefits.

2. Stay Connected

Chronic pain can cause a person to stay at home and isolate themselves. Loneliness is detrimental to your health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Connecting with others helps prevent these complications and eases the mental burden of chronic pain. 

Join a support group or class for a hobby you’ve always wanted to explore, such as painting or gardening. Building new connections may even encourage you to be more active and go out to meet with friends.

3. Meditate

To some degree, the mind can regulate how you perceive physical discomfort. Practicing mindfulness through meditation may reduce the body's physical and emotional response to pain by up to 57%.

Start at home or in a stress management class. Close your eyes in a quiet environment and clear your mind of all thoughts. Breathe deeply and focus on the present rather than any uncomfortable symptoms, letting your worries melt away.

If you require medical transportation to doctor’s appointments, Agape Transportation is available to help. Serving people around New York City and Westchester County, they provide non-emergency medical transportation that’s comfortable and affordable. They offer 24/7 customer support to meet all of your needs. Visit their website to learn more about their work, connect on Facebook for updates, or call (718) 585-2222 to book a ride.