Tips for living with RA
What you can do about RA
When it comes to your quality of life, it's important to do what you can to improve it.
Try to reduce the stress
It's important to fight stress when you can. Try out a few of these suggestions to see if they can help your perspective and improve your outlook:
Listen to music
If you're not up to taking a walk, try listening to music. Play your favorite CD, flip on the radio or download some music. Upbeat tunes can lighten your mood and help you relax.
Make yourself laugh
Can laughter be a part of RA pain management? Laughter has been shown to help some people with RA lessen their pain. So try a funny video, see a comedy show or spend time with friends who have a great sense of humor.
Write about your stress
Try keeping track of your thoughts and feelings in a journal. It can help you sort out how you're feeling, physically and emotionally.
Try to volunteer
If you're not already, become a member of a group or support an organization you care a lot about. By helping others, you may find that it helps you feel more active, productive, and relaxed at the same time. Or you might just enjoy the process of giving back.
Seek the advice of your healthcare professional
If your basic stress reduction techniques aren't doing enough to help you manage the emotional aspects of your RA, talk to your healthcare professional. Remember that how you feel emotionally can have a lot do with how you feel physically. You should have a treatment plan that helps you have the best quality of life you can.
Find out about rheumatoid arthritis treatment options
Learn how to team up with your healthcare professional
