Fix Your Fibromyalgia: Five Things You Can Do Today!

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain syndrome of unknown origin that affects 3-5 percent of the general population. While there is no definitive cure, there are many things a fibromyalgia sufferer can do to relieve their symptoms. Your doctor may recommend some pretty intimidating lifestyle changes. But there are many simple and easy things you can do - starting NOW - to feel better.

1. Drink plenty of water. Whether you have fibromyalgia or are perfectly healthy, your immune system requires a certain amount of water for optimal functioning. Water is critical to digestion and the natural detoxification process that keeps our internal organs free of disease. Humans can live for an extended period without food, but not without water.

If you get in the habit of drinking six to eight glasses of water each day, you'll notice that you have fewer headaches, more energy, easier digestion, improved mental clarity, and less pain.

2. Move your body. I know from experience that the word "exercise" can be very intimidating for someone with fibromyalgia. Instead of thinking about "exercise" or "workouts", stay focused on "gentle activities" like stretching, doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, swimming, or walking to the mailbox. Do what your body allows you to do, and then push yourself just a little bit.

Having trouble getting started? Put on some dance music and just let yourself go. This is my favorite form of exercise - oops, I mean gentle activity. I always feel better - mentally and physically - after my private boogie sessions.

Get your body moving, even just a little, and you'll increase blood flow and the level of oxygen that reaches your organs and muscles. Your tissues need the blood and oxygen in order to heal and remove waste products - like the lactic acid that is known to build up in the muscles and cause soreness.