Who doesn’t love the holidays? All the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the twinkling lights everywhere you look, and the entourage of visitors that pass through your home. It’s like something out of Currier and Ives or Norman Rockwell painting.
However, even if you have one visitor this holiday season it can still wreak havoc on a person who suffers from Fibromyalgia; Your routine gets shifted whenever you have company. That’s just par for the course.
I don’t know about you, but my adrenaline (tries to) kicks in whenever I know company is coming. My desire to have my home neat and tidy, possibly wanting to bake cookies and serve iced tea all seem to make my blood pump faster. But what happens at these times is that my body is working overtime. Because of the adrenaline surge I don’t usually pay attention to my body’s signals to slow down-all the aches and pains and dragging feeling-as I should. When I finally do decide that I’ve had enough and MUST STOP to rest, the pain is overwhelming, the damage is already done and the impending flare is around the corner. The deep-wrenching, grinding pain in my joints from working over-time can make tears sting my eyes.
If you know in advance that company is coming you can better prepare by taking scheduled rest breaks to accommodate the list of things that you desire to do for that company.
However, if you have a surprise visitor and you’re not feeling up to it then you need to pray that your visitor will understand if you can’t sit up and chat like they might like. (or don’t answer the door, especially if they are a people who may make you worse. You know the type. Your health is vital.)
I just had company for two weeks. The good news is that that company helped out with the day-to-day chores and activities. I was still able to rest and pace myself. But not all company is low-key and understanding to the fight we Fibros deal with daily.
Education is key. Communication is extremely important. I send links to my mother and older children often so they can stay informed and (hopefully) be compassionate.
Do it for yourself. Do it for them.
So this final week before Christmas I pray you will find peace and rest. That you will pace yourself and be blessed by the visitors that pass through your home.
And maybe even bake some cookies!
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
