A Playlist for Fibromyalgia Flare Days

A Playlist for Fibromyalgia Flare Days

I often find it hard to stay upbeat on bad fibromyalgia flare days. I’ve learned that I can control flares to a degree. While I can’t prevent them altogether, I can keep them short. I’ve learned that I can shorten flares by doing two main things.

1 . I don’t fight the flares. Instead of trying to push through a flare to get stuff done anyway, I ride the wave. As much as possible I take the day off and I just rest. If my mind is working but my body feels dead I just sit in my chair and work a bit, usually doing the least mentally-intensive tasks. If both body and brain are fatigued, I zone out in front of the tv.

2 . I drink lots of water. I normally drink a lot of water by most people’s standards. I found that the “water cure” works for me before I knew there was such a thing as the water cure. I keep a 32oz bottle by my bedside and drink it before I get out of bed in the morning, but on bad fatigue days that’s not enough. On bad fatigue days I usually have to drink about 90oz of water before 2 or 3pm just to clear the cobwebs from my brain.

That’s how I keep flares short, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come.

It also doesn’t mean that sometimes when it seems flares come over and over again that I don’t get down and despair that I’m going to end up back where I used to be, living a life on the couch.

On days like that, I need a little extra inspiration. So, with the help of some of the awesome people on my Facebook page, I’ve put together this nice little playlist to help me stay inspired on fibromyalgia flare days.

My Playlist for Fibro Flare Days

• You’re Gonna Be Ok – Brian and Jenn Johnson. Jenn was inspired to write this song as her husband Brian went through a really tough time that included a mental breakdown. It’s a beautiful song with a wonderful message for all of us. We are gonna be OK.

• Be OK – Ingrid Michelson. This song could be the anthem for anyone living with any chronic illness, because it is a thought that goes through our heads constantly. “I just want to be ok.”

• The Champion – Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris. This is a song about getting through obstacles, and that’s a thing those of us who live with chronic illness know something about. In the end, we will be champions.

• If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins. This song was inspired by the Winston Churchill quote “If you’re going through hell, keep on going.” There is no better message for us to remember as so often on fatigue days we feel like we are living in hell.

• We’re Going Up – Tim McMorris. “You can make your tomorrows, what you want them to be.” This is a super upbeat song. It’s just one that gives you a happy vibe and reminds you that even if you feel like you are falling, things can still improve.

• Get Up – SuperChick. This is one of my favorite happy songs. It’s a great reminder that we do fall, but we keep getting up. It reminds me that I have to keep trying, and that the only way I fail is to not try.

• Fighter – Christina Aguilera. I don’t know anyone who is a greater fighter than someone who lives with chronic pain. I feel like this song could be sang TO chronic illness. Fibromyalgia (and all that I’ve dealt with physically and mentally) has made me the fighter that I am.

• Flare – Christy and the Professors. This song is actually written about fibromyalgia. As far as I know it’s the only one written specifically about fibromyalgia. I shared an interview with Christy a couple of years ago where she shares the story behind this song.

• Rise Up – Adra Day. This is one of the most inspiring songs I’ve found in a long time, and beautiful. Each morning we rise up “like the day.”

• Tubthumping – Chumbawamba. “I get knocked down but I get back up again.” That’s exactly what we do over and over again.

• I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Living with chronic illness can often feel like we are standing at the gates of hell. But, we can’t let it back us down. We have to stand our ground.

• Freedom! – George Michael. Sometimes this road to heaven sure feels like the road to hell.

• You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban. This is a beautiful rendition of this song. When we struggle with the flares that come with fibromyalgia, we are so down and weary and this song is a beautiful reminder that there is more.

Check out my full playlist on Youtube.

What songs inspire you and bring you comfort on the bad days? Let me know and I’ll add them to the playlist so that they can help others, too.

Related Posts:

• How musician Dan Reynolds deals with a Monster Pain in the AS
• Effects of Music and Vibration on Fibromyalgia (a study)
• Can music reduce pain?
• Distraction as Pain Reliever: 10 ways to distract yourself from pain