Forging the Path for Your Own Wellness

Among those suffering from arthritis, many people find themselves struggling to carry out daily activities that once were easy and enjoyable. 

As the pain worsens, you may move less, causing your joints to lose their mobility. Less movement can also lead to weight gain, which adds extra pressure and pain onto the joints. With every additional pound of weight registering as six pounds to the joints, the vicious cycle of pain and immobility deepens and continues. 

Avoiding falling into this cycle early on in your wellness journey is the best way to slow down the progression of arthritis and prolong your mobility and quality of life.

How Do I Start? 

If you’ve never designed your own self-care plan, fear not. You can start by simply noticing and noting your current behaviors to evaluate their impact on your well-being. 

Using a mood tracker or symptom journal at this stage is a helpful way to start examining these patterns and considering alternative behaviors. This can look as simple as taking daily notes in a calendar or notebook about your actions that day and the physical or emotional pain responses. By evaluating the habits and patterned responses to pain and other negative stimuli, you can determine whether these reactions are supportive to your overall health, or could use a change. 

For example…

Do you find yourself reaching for comforting cuisine when you are in pain? 

When you are feeling down or have the blues, do you soothe yourself with alcohol or other substances? 

Are there social networks available to call upon for help when needed? 

No matter how early or late-stage your arthritis is, making a self-care plan allows you to think through in advance how you will respond to flare-ups or other pain before it worsens. Having a plan can also reduce excessive worrying since it reduces the unknowns and empowers you to take control.

Find What Works for You

Self-care looks a little different for everyone. Some people prefer to consult friends or read health literature. You might join a support community online or seek therapy.  This part of the process can vary depending on the patient – this is a good thing! 

Your self-care plan should be personalized to your needs and your lifestyle. As you learn more about what works best for you, your self-care plan can change, too. 

By prioritizing your self-care, you can put yourself on the best path for finding relief from arthritis pain so that you can get back to doing the things you love, every day.