5 Tips to Make Living with Arthritis Easier

Arthritis is a condition commonly focused on joints, resulting in swelling, pain, and warmth in the affected areas. There are more than a hundred types of arthritis, most common among them being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Risk factors for the condition include family history, age, sex (women are more prone to developing it than men), pre-existing joint injuries, and obesity. Possible therapy for arthritis comes in the form of medication, surgery, and physical therapy.

Although arthritis is a disorder that’s not easy to cope with, there are several ways to improve your quality of life, managing arthritis in a way that allows you to enjoy your daily activities. Here are the five most effective things you can do to take back control of your health.

1. Enjoy low-impact and flowing exercise

Staying active and managing your weight is crucial when you’re living with arthritis. Gaining a few pounds adds an additional strain on your joints, making them more painful and inflamed, so a moderate exercise regime could be the best course of action.

Stretching, low-impact aerobic exercises, pilates, or yoga could be great choices for you, but make sure not to do anything without supervision. Also, if during a workout you start feeling pain, never try to push yourself past it.

If for whatever reason you can’t exercise, even moderately, taking a short walk every day should be beneficial as well.

2. Create a healthy diet plan

Inflammation that often comes along with having arthritis can cause pain and discomfort, but eating the right foods (and avoiding the ones that make the matter worse) can make a significant positive change in your life.

You should avoid processed foods and snacks at all costs, as trans fats these foods contain can easily trigger inflammation you’re trying to avoid. Omega-6 fatty acids, refined sugar, red meat, refined carbohydrates, cheese, high-fat dairy, and alcohol are also on the list of nutrients to abstain from.

On the other hand, fruits and vegetables are definitely on the “good list”, along with quite a few other foods you can safely include in your diet.

3. Plan your activities attentively

Living with arthritis often means experiencing lower energy levels than before, so try to plan your activities and obligations in a way that won’t burden you too much.

Allow yourself more time to do the things that need to get done but can’t be rushed, such as getting dressed or tying your shoelaces. Also, make sure to use the right props, especially in the kitchen and the bathroom, to make your daily tasks a lot easier.

With a bit of a readjustment, you should soon be able to go back to your life and the activities you love and need doing.

4. Try to manage your stress

Although it’s always easier said than done, trying to keep your stress levels as low as possible is very useful when living with arthritis.

Give yourself enough time to rest during the day, try some breathing exercises or practice yoga and meditation, reach out to family and friends to support, and/or join a support group in your area. It’s always easier when you have someone to share your experiences and laugh with.

Don’t stress about stressing, either: no need to strive for perfection only to make yourself feel bad for not accomplishing it. Do as much as you can to stay calm and composed, and you’re surely doing a great job.

5. Never feel bad to ask for assistance

No matter how capable and independent we are, we all need a helping hand in our lives from time to time. When living with arthritis, you’ll often feel the need to ask for assistance, whether it’s with daily chores, or simply because you need some company to get your mind off the discomfort.

Either way, never be reluctant to ask for help when you need it: you deserve to be taken care of.

About the Author

Jennifer Holland is a professional custom essay service writer with 3 years of experience. She enjoys writing about education and student life and helps students get their dream jobs by offering her excellent writing skills and knowledge.