It turns out that there are a couple of dishes people always eat with their spicy food which help a lot. First and foremost, you have to realise that the degree of feeling you get from spice can actually change. Whether that's from getting used to it and building a tolerance, or "easing" yourself into it.
Both are quite similar I suppose but for most beginners, easing into it will probably work better than jumping in the deep end and hoping your body adapts quickly.
Helga