Arthritis is a condition mainly characterized by joint stiffness and pains. These pains can be upsetting and disruptive, making even the simplest tasks a daunting chore. Things most people would take for granted, such as preparing dinner or even putting on socks, become an exhausting affair.
Your life, however, doesn’t have to be as miserable as most people would want to put it. All you need is to take good care of yourself and identify ways to make your life easier. According to the American College of Rheumatology, non-drug treatments such as shedding excess weight, massage, acupuncture, CBD, physical therapy, and proper dieting can help improve flexibility while reducing pressure on your joints. If looking to improve your arthritis then do research and buy CBD vape pens that actually work. CBD is proven to help relieve pain.
Losing weight (if overweight), eating healthy foods (those that don’t trigger inflammation), exercising, and training your joints to move even when in pain can come in handy in managing arthritis. Health experts particularly recommend eating whole and healthy foods and exercising regularly to reduce the risk of conditions (e.g., heart disease) commonly linked with lupus and arthritis. This is because arthritic individuals prefer staying in the same position rather than moving around. Outlined below are a few tips and strategies that can help protect your joints, conserve energy, and manage arthritis more easily.
- Keep moving: Staying in the same position for extended periods will only make the condition worse. That said, make a habit of stretching or even stand up between tasks. Make a habit of doing this while working and even when at home watching the TV or reading a book. Moving around will help keep the blood moving and joints well-greased.
- Learn to manage stress: Make a habit of avoiding movements and positions that would increase pressure/stress to the joints. An excellent example of this is using a cloth to help open a tight lid or a lid opener. Shoulder motion will prove useful, especially if dealing with hand arthritis.
- Know your strongest muscles and joints: This will help protect your wrist and finger joints when opening lids or moving heavy doors and equipment. Take advantage of the stronger leg to climb up the stairs and when coming down from the same.
- Always plan ahead: Having a timetable of what needs to be done, when, and how can help reduce the effects of arthritis. The best way to do this would be to ensure your house is organized and everything stored strategically to reduce workloads. Do this by keeping all frequently used items within reach, and duplicate items, such as kitchen and bathroom cleaning supplies in strategic areas. This means you won’t have to walk to the store or bedroom to grab a towel, soap, etc.
- Make use of adaptive aids and labour-saving items: Start using electric mixers and can openers in the kitchen, and switch to automatic bowl cleaners for scrubbing and cleaning. Spray-on mildew removers will also come in handy in showers and tubs too. Identify other items and equipment that will make your work much easier in the house.
- Make a few home modifications to make chores easier: Put a bathing stool in the shower to limit the need to bend over, as well as a suction mat to prevent slip and falls. You might also want to have casters installed on all heavy furniture in the house to make moving and cleaning under them easier too. A bar-mounted over the tub is essential too.
- Learn to ask for help: Living with arthritis can be debilitating at times. This is why you need to ask for help whenever necessary, especially for things that might be too painful for you to do. Let your family members and friends know about your condition, and help them learn and understand how they can help make your life better and easier.