BeeFree
A support hive for mind & movement
A resource for people with pain and mental health issues
The following information will help you, visit www.beefree.org.uk for more information
Have you noticed how long term pain affects your mood?
Being in pain for a long time can make you feel sad, worried, or low.
You may lose interest in doing the things you used to enjoy.
When you feel this way your pain can often feel worse too.
Pain and mood go hand in hand, which can leave you feeling trapped, fearful and isolated.
Are you one of the 1 in 5 people in the UK who experiences pain that has gone on for longer than 3 months?
You are not alone.
You can make changes from today that will improve your mind and movement.
We can’t promise that these changes will take your pain away, but they might make you feel better in yourself and help you move better…
Here are 5 things that could help. We call these The Hive Five
- Get talking
- Get active
- Get creative
- Eat well
- Sleep well
Make a positive step each day, it doesn’t have to be a huge leap, do what’s right for you.
Get talking
It’s good to talk… talk to family, friends and charity volunteers or your healthcare team.
Don’t suffer in silence, bottling up feelings can often make things feel worse.
Telling someone how you are feeling about your pain will take you one step closer to improving your mood.
A problem shared is a problem halved.
You may want to try “talking therapies”, to help reduce pain and improve mood.
Bee free to chat to people who care… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
Get active
Regular physical activity and exercise is important for mind and movement.
You may worry that activity makes pain worse, but it isn’t always the case.
It’s important to find the right balance.
Walking to the shop instead of driving everyday will lead you one step closer to a healthy mind and body.
Ask your healthcare team for activity advice to work out a plan to suit you.
Bee free to get active in a way that suits you… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
Get creative
Don’t let pain stop you from doing the things that you enjoy!
Listen to music. Learn a new skill. Get crafting. Get gardening!
Listening to music every day can help you feel more relaxed.
Gardening, drawing or reading can take your mind away from pain.
Bee free to live the life you want to live… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
Sleep well
Pain can disturb sleep and can impact on your mood, making pain worse.
Ask your healthcare team for advice about sleep.
Improving your sleep routine can have a big impact, go to bed at the same time each night…
Try not to look at your mobile phone an hour before bed…
Try not to bring caffeine late in the day…
Bee free to have a decent nights sleep… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
Eat well
Make healthier food choices to improve mood and maintain a healthy weight.
A balanced diet means eating fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and wholegrains and can help you to feel energised.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce strain on painful joints and make you feel better.
Ask your healthcare team for advice about diet and nutrition.
Bee free from poor food choices… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
Activities like these can provide a positive distraction from pain.
Bee free… visit the support hive beefree.org.uk or ask your healthcare team for more information.
The most important thing to remember, is to get started.
Small changes each day can make big steps towards helping you deal with pain and low mood!
Bee the change you want to see!
This animation has been produced by patients and professionals at the following organisations:
Keele University
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
MIND for better mental health
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
Haywood Foundation for arthritis research Q Lab
BeeFree
A support hive for mind & movement
A resource for people with pain and mental health issues
The following information will help you, visit www.beefree.org.uk for more information
