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Physical Therapy
– Check with your healthcare provider about finding a physical therapist to help with various exercises based upon your diagnosis.
Stress Management Techniques – Regardless of arthritis, 70- to 90-percent of the general population reports being stressed, which can sure add to pain and ill health issues. So prevention and self-care are in order. Here are many ways to deal with stress:
Assertiveness Training – For some reason, especially if others are older than you, at the mention of arthritis, people can try to minimize what you’re going through, thinking they are older and you shouldn’t be complaining about your “aches and pains.” Well, tough. Age has nothing to do with arthritis or your pain. And others may get caught up in their own lives too much from time to time to notice, but you are important. And so is your health and your pain relief. So take charge and take care of yourself. Learn to say “no” to unhealthy activities that strain your joints. Slow down and use aids where you to need to like grips in the stairways, a walking cane or athletic shoes instead of heeled dress shoes. Your health and pain relief is very important.
Coping Skills Training - Learn to cope better by improving three areas: your thinking, behavior and lifestyle. Thought-wise, start thinking more about the positives instead of negatives. For example, there are many more treatment options available today for arthritis. And that’s a very positive ideology to focus on. For help with more, check our positive thinking inspirational nonfiction from the library. And be a volunteer for those less fortunate than you are to get a different perspective on life.
Behavior-wise, get more organized. Allow time to plan, shop for and prepare your meals and menus. Allow time for activities, exercises and other self-care necessities. Use a planner or notebook and pencil to jot down daily goals and things to do so that they get done. And do allow time for venting and sharing your frustrations with a close friend. Work in humor whenever possible to lighten the load and make life more enjoyable. And Plan fun things into your life; trips, hikes, etc. And lifestyle-wise, shuffle some of these into your routine:
- Pet Therapy - get a animal companion
- Meditation - take a time out
- Deep Breathing - stand and focus on your feet pressing the floor, grounding you
- Pace - go at it for awhile back and forth
- Leisure - read a good book, hum, just do nothing…
- Rest – sleep or take a quick nap or just rest
- Nature – Take a hike, stop and smell the roses
- Hydrotherapy: Enjoy a soothing, warm or hot bath with your favorite bubbles or oil(s) added. Dim the lights, light a candle, play soft music….
- Music Therapy – Enjoy soothing tunes in your favorite lounge chair, on the porch, in the bath, resting in bed.