Do you feel like you’re always saying “yes” when you really need to say “no”? If so, you’re definitely not alone. It can be hard to put your needs first, especially when it seems everyone is counting on you.

But if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else. Here are four ways to say no when you need rest.

When you live with fibromyalgia or other chronic illness, one of the most significant challenges you have to learn is how to pace yourself and rest when needed.

Learning to set boundaries with others’ obligations or requests to help us prevent exacerbating our symptoms can be incredibly difficult.

If you agree to everything, saying no sometimes can be the best thing to learn to do. It can be merely saying no to going to lunch with friends at work because you need that time to yourself to recharge or saying no to something bigger that someone has asked of you that you know will drain your energy.

If you’re the person who always thinks of ways to please others, it can sometimes be tough to hold space for yourself. But, for so many people, saying no feels like a confrontation, and it merely makes them feel very uneasy and often comes paired with a feeling of guilt.

If this is a problem for you as well, then it’s time to explore polite ways to turn people down so you can avoid these negative emotions and prioritize your health and get the rest you need.

1. DON’T ALLOW RELATIONSHIPS TO CONTROL YOU

First, let’s face the most challenging task; you should say no when it’s essential to say no. If you are tired, in pain, need rest, and need time to yourself, it’s important to honor how you feel and prioritize your needs. In doing so, you may avoid a fibro flare or recover faster from a flare-up.

Allowing people close to you to pressure you into a situation where your fibromyalgia symptoms may worsen because of who they are is never good. Every move you make with another person sets a precedent.

If you set proper boundaries now, then, later on, you can be more confident that you will be able to measure their level of urgency for assistance.

2. REFER TO YOUR CALENDAR

A suitable way to bow out of a request is to let them know that you will consider it if your schedule allows it. It will give you the ability to say a soft no but still can change your mind later. That means that you now have control over whether or not they are likely to ask that sort of request again in the future without making it complicated.

If you know it’s a hard no, then you can contact them and let them know that you won’t be able to when the request is less fresh.

3. BE BUSY CARING FOR YOURSELF

If you feel like you aren’t a good enough friend to someone that wants more of your time or energy than you can deliver, you may experience feeling guilty.

When you know you need to say no but feel guilty, try to fill your time with the things you need to get done in your life, home, fibromyalgia treatments, and self-care.

Devote time to ensure that you are moving forward in treating your fibromyalgia symptoms and ticking practices to try off your list. It can also help lower your stress level as you gain better control over your chronic illness symptoms.

4. SUGGEST ANOTHER CAPABLE PERSON

If you feel comfortable, try to find another person to take the request instead. It can be beneficial for proposals related to your business and skilled work.

If someone wants you to do a job for free or at a reduced price, refer them to another capable person. This lets your friend know that they can get skilled work elsewhere and gives them a chance to see the value of your time and expertise.

In your personal life, an example might look like gently explaining to a friend or relative that you don’t have the energy resources needed to help organize a function, host a dinner, and suggest a mutual friend or another family member.

If this is still too challenging for you, consider offering to do one particular task for the event, something you know you can accomplish without too much detriment to your energy or pain levels.

Schedule a FREE 30-minute Breakthrough Session!

Ready to take control of your health and start thriving, even with a chronic illness?

Book a free 30-minute call with me to discuss a personalized plan that’s designed just for you. During this call, we’ll get to know each other, discuss your unique needs and goals, and explore how we can work together to help you feel your best.

Don’t let your chronic illness hold you back any longer. It’s time to start living the life you deserve.

Click the link below to book your free call today!
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