Problem: Article: Being empathetic means you attempt to understand another person's feelings, perspectives and behavior by seeing the world through their eyes. You use this understanding to guide what you do for and say to that person. People with chronic pain are different than you in some ways but are also very much like you, so focus on what you have in common and try to understand the differences. Being sick does not mean that the sufferer is no longer a human being. Though chronic pain sufferers spend the majority of their day in considerable pain, they still want the same things that healthy people want. They too want to enjoy work, family, friends and leisure activities. The chronic pain sufferer may feel as if they are stuck inside a body in which they have little or no control. Pain puts everything you used to enjoy out of reach and can contribute to feelings of helplessness, sadness and depression. Try to remember how lucky you are to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do. Then imagine if you couldn't. They may attempt to cope, sound happy and look normal as often as they can. They live their lives to the best of their ability. Keep in mind that when the chronic pain sufferer says they are in pain - they are! . One of the best things that you can do for a chronic pain sufferer is to listen to them. To be a good listener, pay attention and try to understand what is going on inside of that person so that you can grasp how they are feeling and what they really need. Make it clear that you want to hear what they have to say. Many people with chronic pain feel that others won't believe them or will ridicule them for being weak. Try to decode what they're hiding or minimizing through body language and tone of voice. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Sharing means you both give something. To create a strong empathetic bond and really make your exchange matter, you will need to reveal your true feelings, beliefs and experiences as well. Read How to be a good listener for more details on being a great listener. If you find yourself being impatient and wanting the sufferer to "just get on with it", you risk laying a guilt trip on the person who is suffering from pain and undermining their determination to cope. They probably want to comply with your requests to do things but don't have the strength or coping capacity as a result of the pain. Don't be put off if the chronic pain sufferer seems touchy. They have been going through a lot. Chronic pain wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. These people do their best to cope with how exhausting and exasperating the pain is but can't always be ok. Try to accept them as they are. A chronic pain sufferer may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. . The chronic pain sufferer depends a great deal on people who are not sick to support them at home or visit them when they're too sick to go out. Sometimes they need help with bathing, dressing, personal cares, etc. They may need help getting to the doctor. You can be their link to the "normality" of life and help them keep in touch with the parts of life that they miss and desperately want to undertake again. Many people offer to help but really aren't there when asked to be. If you offer to help, make sure you follow through. The person with chronic pain that you care about is depending on you. If you are living with a chronic pain sufferer or supporting such a person on a regular basis, you need to maintain balance in your own life. If you don't take care of your own needs, health and work-life balance, being around the chronic pain sufferer can really bring you down. Avoid suffering from carer burn-out by getting other people to help and taking time out. Care for this person as much as you're able but remember to also care for yourself. Although the person with chronic pain has changed, they think the same. Remember who they are and the things they did before the pain became so bad. They are still the intelligent mind that made a good living at a job they may have loved and had no choice but to give up. Be kind, thoughtful and don't patronize them. Punishing an ill person for not following through with something will make them feel worse and show them that you really don't understand. Those experiencing chronic pain already deal with more than most could ever comprehend. Try to understand why they couldn't follow through. Just because someone cannot do certain activities very often or has cancelled before does not mean that you shouldn't ask them to join you or should hide that you have plans from them. There may be some days when that activity is manageable, and chronic pain is isolating enough! Please understand and keep asking. Instead of suggesting how sufferers can fix their pain, consider being empathetic and giving them a gentle hug to let them know you're there to support them. They already hear and see endless doctors who tell them how to fix or help their chronic pain. Sometimes just laying your hand on the shoulder of someone can help give them comfort. A hug can be incredibly comforting to someone in pain, especially when no solution is in their sight. You may need to ask first. "Can I give you a hug?" is a good place to start. For some people, touch can be painful, so asking them gives them the chance to tell you yes or no, and if they need special care such as a hug with firm or light pressure, no rubbing, or avoidance of certain painful areas. Remember to be gentle. A hug can build a connection and let them know you're there to support them.
Summary: Practice empathy. Respect that the person in pain is trying their best. Listen Be patient. Be helpful Balance your caregiving responsibilities. Treat them with dignity. Include them in your life. Offer a hug.

Problem: Article: Even in a pinch, a rinse is better than nothing. It serves to wash away harmful chemicals such as chlorine, oils, and even bacteria before it can embed deeper into the fabric. You can even take it into a cold shower. Before this, avoid wrapping the swimsuit in a towel. The towel holds in the moisture and chemicals. A towel wet with pool water will contribute chlorine and other substances that wear out swimwear. Electric machines are easy, but even a gentle cycle uses heat and tumbling. This will wear out the material, causing a loss of integrity, shape, padding, and delicate embellishments. After rinsing immediately after usage, throw the used swimwear into a sink full of cold water for at least five minutes with a neutral detergent. Leaving it in too long will allow the water to work its way into the fibers, damaging the fit, so don't get distracted. Use a mild soap for delicate fabrics. Regular detergent is too harsh and contributes to deterioration and fading. Avoid bleach and moisturizers. Men's trunks are the exception in that they contain less spandex. This makes them better able to withstand the trauma of a machine wash cycle. You may still choose to wash them more gently by hand, though. Alternatively, use baking soda for two hours before washing or with vinegar by soaking the swimwear in one part white vinegar to three parts water for 30 minutes. This can also be used before wear to prevent color bleeding. Like washing, machine drying is too rough for fragile swimwear and will ruin the shape. Instead, roll up the swimsuit to coax out most of the water. Be gentle and don't wring it out. It may be tempting, but the twisting motion is still damaging. Do this in a shaded and well-ventilated area. This prevents water from pooling and stretching fibers. It also reduces wrinkles and creases. Never leave the swimsuit exposed to direct sunlight. The heat will cause the same color damage you tried to avoid earlier. Cool air from an open window or a blow dryer, if in a hurry, are safer options.
Summary:
Rinse your swimwear in cold water after each wear. Hand wash your swimwear. Treat stains directly with spot cleaner. Gently squeeze out the water. Lay the swimsuit out to dry.