Article: Inflammation, which leads to pain, can be managed by hydration, so try to drink water anytime you feel thirsty. Stay away from dehydrating liquids like coffee, soda, and alcohol, as they can deplete your body of water and make your pain worse. Try keeping a water bottle with you so you can drink water when you're out and about. Staying hydrated is especially important for inflammatory causes of chronic pain, like arthritis. Keeping your body healthy can reduce your pain by boosting your immune system and reduce inflammation, which is important for chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. A balanced meal includes: 1/2 plate of fruits and vegetables 1/4 plate of whole grains 1/4 plate of protein Plant oils in moderation Stress affects your entire life, and it can also contribute to pain by lowering your body's ability to fight inflammation. Learning how to manage your stress can be a great benefit to relieving your symptoms. Think about what relaxes you and try to incorporate it into your daily or weekly routine. Stress relief looks different for every person. It can include exercise, enjoying nature, reading and writing, doing crafts, or simply being around your loved ones. Disrupted sleep can lead to worsening pain and stress. Try not to nap during the day so that you can sleep for a full 8 hours, and talk to your doctor about using a sleep aid if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Maintain a balanced diet for your overall health. Manage your stress to reduce your pain levels. Try to get 8 hours of sleep per night.
Article: After deciding on the format and frequency of your group, you'll need to focus on how best to run each meeting. Your group may benefit from having some kind of structure/schedule, but it's important to be fluid and open to the needs of your members. Make your group's objectives clear. If there is a schedule, stick to it. Be punctual, and ask that your members are also punctual. This should be done with the help and input of your core group of co-founders, so that everyone feels that they are a part of the process and can provide insight on what they hope to get out of the meetings. The mission statement should provide a structural framework for the group's values, purpose, and goals, and what will be done to meet those goals. Your mission statement should be brief and to the point. Aim for 2-3 sentences at most. Focus on intended outcomes rather than methods when drafting your mission statement. With the help of your core group of co-founders, discuss and revise your mission statement. Do not make any promises of success or achievement in your mission statement. Promising results may deter members from returning if they do not achieve those results in a forecasted time period. Decide who will be the primary contact person/people for the group. Consider additional roles members can play in making the group work. Decide which tasks you're willing to trust to others in the group. Appoint those tasks with an understanding that each role will include great responsibilities. Be clear in giving instructions and laying out the terms of each role. Give credit to everyone who contributes. Let them know that their efforts are appreciated. Share a few options at your first meeting for additional feedback and ideas from members before deciding. The naming process should be a fun aspect of creating a support group, and should allow everyone to have equal input. Permit ample time for your core group members to describe their interest and work, while allowing others the opportunity to share their view of what they would like to see the support group do. Identify common needs the group can address. Determine whether you should enact a confidentiality policy to keep information shared at your meetings from leaving the group. This may put members at ease and make those who feel reluctant to share their experiences more comfortable going forward. Allow everyone to socialize informally after the meeting to reinforce the sense of community and mutual support. You should also pass around a mailing/contact sheet either before or after each meeting to keep contact information up to date. Privacy is important. Add a space for people to uncheck if they want their information private.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Run meetings efficiently. Draft a mission statement or a statement of purpose. Share responsibilities and delegate work in the group. Choose a name for your group. Publicize and run your first public meeting. Make plans for the next meeting.
Article: One of the first steps toward overcoming fear involves noticing fear's onset. There may be times when you are acting out of fear without even consciously acknowledging it. Whenever you feel fear or hesitation, stop and notice the ways it manifests in your body. Once you have cataloged these symptoms, you can tune into them more quickly, and better cope. Some common symptoms of fear include: Trouble breathing Racing thoughts Rapid heartbeat Dizziness (or even fainting) Sweating Anxiety or panic Feeling powerless to your fear, even if you know it's irrational Sit down with a piece of paper and pen, and carefully list every single thing you are afraid of. Keep the list handy and add to day by day until you feel you've listing everything that scares you. Be as specific as you can. For instance, if you are afraid of taking a promotion at work, what exactly is it that scares you? Are you afraid of what people might think? Or maybe you are afraid you can't handle the responsibility? If kept in the dark, fears have a way or magnifying themselves. When brought out into the open, you may not find your fears quite as scary. For every single fear on your list, try to come up with a practical solution. Do this when you feel calm and level-headed, not when you're in the midst of fear. It can also help to do this part with a friend, and get their ideas and perspective. If you are afraid of physical harm, what can you do to keep yourself safe? You could wear a life jacket on boats, or a bike helmet on bikes. If you are afraid of specific interpersonal interactions, try role-playing some conversations with a friend. What strategies can do you rely on to make the conversation run smoothly? If you are afraid of a big change in your life, try envisioning every aspect of the change and how it will affect you. Do you feel like you would be better or worse off if you make this change? Being "fearless" does not actually mean living without fear. Rather, living fearlessly means coping with your fear, and proceeding in the face of it. When you feel fear taking hold of you, there are a few methods you can use to cope. You might try: Reviewing the list of fears and solutions you made earlier Asking a friend for perspective ("Is this a rational fear, or not?") Practicing deep breathing Once you have learned to cope with anxiety and fear, it might be time to challenge yourself. You can face those things you fear by encountering them in small doses and seeing how to fare. Increase your level of exposure until that particular fear no longer bothers you. If you are afraid of heights, try going on a small rollercoaster with a friend. If you are afraid of speaking in front of people, try attending a supportive storytelling workshop. Fear is an evolutionary adaptive function that helps keep us safe. When you feel nervous around an exposed cliff, for instance, that is your fear telling you that the situations is dangerous, and you should exercise caution. Although fear is uncomfortable, it is there to serve a purpose. Accept that a healthy does of fear is a helpful component of modern life. A certain amount of fear is natural and understandable, especially if you are trying something new. However, if fear seems to be negatively affecting your life, you may need to take some steps to intervene and diffuse it. If you are experiencing intense fear, you may want to seek guidance from a doctor or therapist. Your fear may be a problem for you if: Your fear triggers intense anxiety or panic. You know that your fears are irrational. Fear causes you to avoid specific places, people, or situations. Fear has directly interfered with your life. These feelings have persisted for 6 months or longer.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Notice symptoms of fear. Figure out what you're afraid of. Brainstorm solutions. Cope with your fear. Face your fears. Accept that some fear is healthy. Determine if your fear is overwhelming you.