Look at your day-to-day and week-to-week activities carefully. Make a schedule that includes your social and leisure activities as well as your work and chores.

Try to spread your difficult and stressful tasks throughout the week. For example, if you try to do all your shopping and errands in one day, you may find that walking is exhausting and painful, whereas you could better tolerate several short trips during the week. Don’t start complicated activities that you can’t stop, if they make you feel uncomfortable.

It is important for you to plan and take rest periods, whether you have a job or stay at home. The best position is one in which your muscles and joints are at rest. If possible, lie down. If you have been standing, get off your feet. If you have been sitting, get up and move around. Frequent breaks from your routine will often allow you extra energy to enjoy social activities at the end of the day.

Making Each Day Easier

Look at how you live- what kinds of activities you do, which ones are the most important, and how you perform them. There may be easier ways to do many of them.

Your physician and physical or occupational therapist will counsel you on a variety of activities that might include how to cook, how to get on and off a bus, how to relax and relieve tension, and how to continue to enjoy a happy love life. Here you will find reminders for some of the hints you may already have heard and perhaps some additional helpful ideas. A wide variety of aids for individuals with arthritis is available.

Daily Objectives

It’s rarely easy to change habits, but at this time, it may be helpful to make some changes to avoid discomfort, save energy, and protect your joints.