DiscoverDr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your HealthThe Mind-Body Skills That Help You Stay Active Through Chronic Pain
The Mind-Body Skills That Help You Stay Active Through Chronic Pain

The Mind-Body Skills That Help You Stay Active Through Chronic Pain

Update: 2025-11-26
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  • Chronic pain affects over 50 million U.S. adults, but research shows that pain resilience — your ability to adapt and stay active despite discomfort — matters more than pain severity itself
  • Pain resilience acts as a mental shock absorber, helping people maintain physical activity even with significant pain, while fear of movement has weaker influence when resilience is present
  • Five components define pain resilience. These are emotional self-regulation, psychological flexibility, self-care behaviors, religion and spirituality, and internal strengths like optimism, persistence, and problem-solving skills
  • Building resilience requires practical daily habits, including consuming healthy carbohydrates for energy, training your brain toward optimism through reframing challenges, and learning new skills or hobbies
  • Physical activity and quality sleep strengthen resilience. Walking around 8,000 steps daily improves metabolic health and pain management, while good sleep helps you handle stress
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The Mind-Body Skills That Help You Stay Active Through Chronic Pain

The Mind-Body Skills That Help You Stay Active Through Chronic Pain

Dr. Joseph Mercola