For those living with rheumatoid arthritis, morning stiffness and joint pain can be part of the wake-up routine. This can make starting the day a bit harder and slower than you would like. The reason why this happens is that at night, while you sleep, your body releases anti-inflammatory chemicals. They help calm any current joint pain and stiffness your body may have. Sadly, come sunrise, your body is no longer able to fight off the chemicals that cause inflammation so you wake up stiff, uncomfortable, and with potentially painful joints.
Thankfully, there are a number of small changes (5 to be exact) that you can do to help make mornings easier with RA.
5 Steps To Better Mornings With Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Stretching
Morning stretches can help your entire body to wake up and be ready to take on the day. Don’t worry, you don’t have to jump out of bed to do them. These stretches can be done in bed if you choose. Gentle movements (especially when you have just woken up) can really help to relieve stiffness. You can start off small with simple stretches. These would include flexing and extending your toes, fingers, hands, and wrists.
Once you are ready, you can move on to yoga, Pilates, or even tai chi once out of bed.
Keep Warm
We are all worried about what the winter may bring with the cost of living, especially the energy bill. But, when it comes to living with rheumatoid arthritis, the winter can bring with it some seasonal flare-ups. This is why it’s so important to keep yourself warm. Whether it’s with a heavy duvet or two, fluffy socks or perhaps scheduling the heating to turn on 30 mins before you wake. Heat is a big reliever of morning stiffness.
Daily Living Aids
Life is always better when it’s easier, so why not add one or two things to help you do just that? Daily living aids are here to make your life easier. If you are unsure, you can always talk to an Occupational Therapist, your doctor or even pop into your local mobility store. With aids to help you getting up out of bed, putting your socks on, button hooks. shoe horns and even making the morning cuppa (our Uccello Kettle), you are spoiled for choice.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Did you know that a lack of sleep can actually reduce your pain threshold? This is why its important to focus in on a good nights sleep. Good tricks of the trade is to make sure you room is dark, your bed comfortable and you avoid any screens at least 1 hour before going to sleep.
To make your bed even more comfortable, why not try a thin mattress topper for added support? You could also double up on pillows, depending on where you have RA, a well placed pillow could mean a beautiful nights sleep.
Planning Ahead
I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying ”Failure to prepare, Prepare to fail”. Well it works here too. The mornings can be a hectic time, especially if you are head to work, give a lift to anyone or even go shopping. This is why preparing the night before can make all the difference. Prep lunch, layout your clothes and have breakfast prepped the night before. This way you won’t have to skip your morning stretches and you can start your day more relaxed and limber.
For more tips and advice on living with rheumatoid arthritis please feel free to click here.
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