Line yourself up for a great 2012 by Life Balance & Health Coach Pam Wright, author of “The Fibromyalgia Coach”

At the start of each year discussion focuses on hopes for the coming months. Sadly, the majority of people underestimate the amount of attention that is required to turn dreams into reality, and many resolutions are broken before the end of the first week.

My role as a personal coach, is to enable my clients to match their goals to their own highest values and motivation. Together, we work out achievable steps to move forward at a manageable pace. With support strategies and phone coaching, they make the personal positive changes they really want. The strategies remain part of their life for as long as they choose to use them. Success breeds success. It’s usual to start with tiny changes that mean a lot and have a bigger impact than expected.

But what if you feel individual coaching is not for you? The great news is that you can do a lot on your own to make sure that this time next year, you look back with pride at how much you’ve achieved in managing life well with FM.
Have you looked in a full length mirror recently? What is your natural stance? Are your shoulders relaxed or somewhere up by your ears because of tension? Do you hold yourself straight or is your posture dictated by your pain levels? Need a boost towards starting to make changes? Work with friends or alone to give yourself a New Year makeover! Don’t wait for the summer, do it now! Give attention to all the bits that matter. Hair, teeth, specs if you wear them, skin, hands and feet and a wardrobe sort out. If you’ve never had a massage perhaps 2012 is the year to start! Some male readers will think I’m only addressing the ladies – no, chaps, this suggestion is for everyone.

Pain can affect the way you feel about yourself. It impacts on your mood, lowers your self-esteem and saps your confidence. But what if, by giving yourself some real attention, you may be able to lessen your pain? Research shows that the position of the head and neck can exacerbate pain. Stretching (gently and regularly) instead of recoiling can ease the problem for some people, which is why experience of pilates, yoga and Alexander Technique are all useful. Do you know what is available in your area?

Some simple dos and don’ts to be aware of this month and for the rest of the year.

DO

• Make sure your upholstered seats are at a reasonable height with soft yet supportive cushions that can be moved around according to your need.
• Keep some upright chairs in strategic places so that you can sit upright and aligned when necessary.
• Be aware of the angle of your neck as you read, do craftwork, or watch TV. Misaligned muscles cause extra pain later.
• Put your PC monitor at a height that encourages you to keep your head and neck in line. (Not so easy with a laptop, but still possible with thought).
• Use a speaker facility when using your mobile or landline. Your muscles will be severely tested by holding the phone to your ear for any length of time.
• Take your spectacles off instead of looking over the top of them! That’s one of the worst positions for your neck and can cause chest muscle constriction which is never to be taken lightly.
• Check that any stick or crutches you may use are at the right level for your height, and that you know how to shift your weight properly. If not, take physiotherapy advice.
• If you use a wheelchair, even occasionally, make sure you have good lower back support and that your footplate is a the right height. Wheelchairs are not renowned for their suspension, so a bumpy ride can set up a chain reaction of muscle problems.
• Notice any positive change in your symptoms from being more aware of your body alignment.
• Write down your goals and small steps plan, and then highlight each step you’ve achieved.

DON’T

• Panic if you get extra pain. Try stretching slowly and gently as well as using whatever other strategies you have found work for you.
• Give up or believe things will never improve.
• Think you’re alone with all this
• Be persuaded to do anything that you know for a fact you can’t handle at this time.
• Forget that your health is your priority.
• Lose sight of the fact that your life is for living and your main aim is to enjoy being you.

With the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 there will be many heart-warming stories of triumph over adversity. Look out for people with FM or other challenging disabilities who are taking part either in supportive events or in the competitions themselves. Could you be a role model for others by this time next year?

It’s never too late to change your perception of what is possible. So what’s it to be with you? My New Year wish for you is that you find the courage and strength to take control of things that you can change, and the inner peace to accept the things you can do nothing about.

Either way, be happy in 2012, and if you want to find out how coaching could help you move forward, download the brochure or email pam@pamwright.org.