Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people all over the world, however, most commonly it affects older people. As we age, our joints can become stiff and swollen causing even the simplest gestures like opening a can of beans to be painful. There are many different factors that determine whether you are at risk of developing arthritis or not. 

For some people, it’s too late. And while you may not be able to eliminate arthritis altogether, it is possible to lessen the symptoms, and potentially feel nearly symptom-free. If you’re someone who suffers from arthritis, then here are some of the best tips for not just managing your pain, but even overcoming it.

Get Educated

A lot of people are aware they have arthritis, yet they’re not exactly sure what that means. Any time you’ve been diagnosed with something it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible. Get to know the details of arthritis and the ins and outs of how it can progress.  

From reading books to listening to podcasts, it’s helpful to educate yourself. The more you know, the more you can make better-informed decisions on how to look after yourself. As with any medical condition, your doctor is always the most reputable source. Make sure that you take their word above anything you read online or in a book.

Practice Proper Posture

The more that you sit in an ergonomically incorrect position, whether slouching or in a position that puts extra strain on your body, the more likely you are to flare up your arthritis. Stay aware of the position you’re in and use an ergonomic chair if necessary. 

Regardless of whether you have an active job or a sedentary one, it’s important that you take breaks to stretch throughout the day. Additionally, it can’t be stressed enough how important the right pair of shoes is for your posture. You need arch support to ensure that you’re practicing good posture throughout the day, particularly if you have an active job on your feet.

Check In On Your Stress

Many people don’t realize the connection that stress has with arthritis. If you’re going through particularly stressful circumstances in your life at any given moment, you might notice that your arthritis is flaring up more than usual.  Rather than allow your stress to exacerbate your symptoms, you should slow down and control your stress levels. While we may not be able to eliminate any and all stress from our lives, we can control the way that we react to it. 

Practice everything from meditation to deep breathing techniques and you’ll find that you’re less susceptible to the negative impacts that stress can have on your body.