It’s okay to push yourself (sometimes).

When we’re thinking about life with fibromyalgia, balance is very important. But balance is something that happens in the big picture. It’s not about every moment being in perfect alignment, it’s about the ebb and flow together balancing out to meet your needs.

Life comes in seasons – there are times when we need to push ourselves and there are experiences that are flare-worthy. The most critical element of living well with fibromyalgia is having the strategies in place to maintain the balance as we go through these seasons.

In today’s episode, Tami is sharing a peek behind the curtains of her life and how she makes decisions on when to push versus rest and how she plans her recovery. She discusses the effectiveness of coaching versus cognitive behavioral therapy for managing fibromyalgia, the need to plan for recovery after periods of pushing, Tami’s recent experience with hosting the fibromyalgia wellness summit, distinguishing between temporary stress and chronic stress, how Tami approaching recovery planning, choosing the right recovery environment, recognizing individual recovery needs based on personal experiences and stressors, preparing for comfort when traveling to new places, Tami’s tips for meal planning and packing for recovery, modifying new environments for better comfort and relaxation, why you need to prioritize your needs and self-care, the benefits of creating packing lists and task lists for trips, recognizing the need for recovery after travel, why you might need different strategies for physical and mental recovery, the need for both activity and rest, getting honest about what you need, and more.

Take the time to think about what you need to feel your best and don’t be afraid to stand up and ask for that.

Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.