How to Prevent Arthritis Pain During the Freezing Winter Season?
You’ve probably heard of people who swear that during the winter their arthritis is far worse than it is at any other time of year. It may sound like a tall tale, but this is can actually be true for a lot of individuals who live with arthritis. The often find that their pain and stiffness in their bones and joints is far worse during the winter or that it flares up more often during this season. This is because the cold causes the joints and bones to lock up more dramatically due to the cold climate.
Many dancers pile on layers because the body is more flexible the warmer it is, but the cold has the opposite effect on the body. The cold and dreary climate also has the tendency to decrease the mood and heighten depression which can make people more susceptible to pain and discomfort. Although we don’t have any control over the weather, there are some things that you can do to help prevent pain during the winter.
1. Keep your home warm during the night
As we have already discussed in this article, heat plays a crucial role in why people tend to experience a higher amount of arthritis pain during the winter months. You need to make sure that you stay in a warm environment throughout the entirety of the day but especially during the night. The night time is when many people have a build up of arthritis pain because they are lying still for hours on end. If you get around six hours of sleep per night that is six hours that you aren’t moving your joints and bones. You will have a lesser chance of waking up with a large amount of stiffness in the morning if you keep your home during the night. A lot of people don’t sleep with the heat on at night, but you can put it on a low setting so that the heat is at least somewhat constant through the night. Or add some extra heat to your room with a space heater before you go to sleep.
2. Pile on the layers
During this time of year you need to make sure that you are dressing appropriately. You need to be wearing layers that are helping to retain the heat in your body. This doesn’t just mean scarves and hats. You should be piling on the layers to insulate the parts of your body that you usually experience pain and stiffness. If your pain is primarily in your hands, then you should wear gloves anytime that you outside. Gloves that are lined with real or synthetic fur will be a good option for you. If your arthritis pain hits you in your arms and legs, then wear warm sweaters and you can even put on warm layers underneath your slacks when you go to work.
3. Continue treatments
You should stay vigilant when it comes to your treatment of your arthritis pain. Depending on the types of joint pain that you have the joint pain treatments vary. However, if you are taking pills or supplements, you should continue your regimen. If you are using joint pain creams you may find that you need to apply them more often or more generously. You can also try using a heating pad on the areas that you have discomfort when you get home at night and have a minute to rest.
4. Stay active
If you find it difficult to keep up with your fitness goals during the winter, then you are not alone. When it is cold and bitter outside the last thing that you want to do is go out into the cold to workout. It can be so tempting to chill out on the couch after work or get a few extra hours of sleep instead of waking up in the morning to workout. However, it is so important that you stay active on a regular basis if you want to prevent and lessen arthritis pain during the winter. Your bones and joints are already going to be more stiff than usual. If you don’t take the time to get out to the gym or to your local park for a light workout.
5. Continue to eat a healthy diet
You must continue to eat a balanced during the wintertime. The many holidays that occur during the winter season can throw you off of your health eating habits but you must dedicate. You need plenty of water, minerals, calcium, and amino acids in order to maintain the health of your bones, joints, and tendons. Excess weight is also a factor that worsens arthritis.
In Conclusion
You may have experienced many winters of terrible arthritis pain. However, by using these tips, this winter will be a much more pleasant time for you.
Many dancers pile on layers because the body is more flexible the warmer it is, but the cold has the opposite effect on the body. The cold and dreary climate also has the tendency to decrease the mood and heighten depression which can make people more susceptible to pain and discomfort. Although we don’t have any control over the weather, there are some things that you can do to help prevent pain during the winter.
1. Keep your home warm during the night
As we have already discussed in this article, heat plays a crucial role in why people tend to experience a higher amount of arthritis pain during the winter months. You need to make sure that you stay in a warm environment throughout the entirety of the day but especially during the night. The night time is when many people have a build up of arthritis pain because they are lying still for hours on end. If you get around six hours of sleep per night that is six hours that you aren’t moving your joints and bones. You will have a lesser chance of waking up with a large amount of stiffness in the morning if you keep your home during the night. A lot of people don’t sleep with the heat on at night, but you can put it on a low setting so that the heat is at least somewhat constant through the night. Or add some extra heat to your room with a space heater before you go to sleep.
2. Pile on the layers
During this time of year you need to make sure that you are dressing appropriately. You need to be wearing layers that are helping to retain the heat in your body. This doesn’t just mean scarves and hats. You should be piling on the layers to insulate the parts of your body that you usually experience pain and stiffness. If your pain is primarily in your hands, then you should wear gloves anytime that you outside. Gloves that are lined with real or synthetic fur will be a good option for you. If your arthritis pain hits you in your arms and legs, then wear warm sweaters and you can even put on warm layers underneath your slacks when you go to work.
3. Continue treatments
You should stay vigilant when it comes to your treatment of your arthritis pain. Depending on the types of joint pain that you have the joint pain treatments vary. However, if you are taking pills or supplements, you should continue your regimen. If you are using joint pain creams you may find that you need to apply them more often or more generously. You can also try using a heating pad on the areas that you have discomfort when you get home at night and have a minute to rest.
4. Stay active
If you find it difficult to keep up with your fitness goals during the winter, then you are not alone. When it is cold and bitter outside the last thing that you want to do is go out into the cold to workout. It can be so tempting to chill out on the couch after work or get a few extra hours of sleep instead of waking up in the morning to workout. However, it is so important that you stay active on a regular basis if you want to prevent and lessen arthritis pain during the winter. Your bones and joints are already going to be more stiff than usual. If you don’t take the time to get out to the gym or to your local park for a light workout.
5. Continue to eat a healthy diet
You must continue to eat a balanced during the wintertime. The many holidays that occur during the winter season can throw you off of your health eating habits but you must dedicate. You need plenty of water, minerals, calcium, and amino acids in order to maintain the health of your bones, joints, and tendons. Excess weight is also a factor that worsens arthritis.
In Conclusion
You may have experienced many winters of terrible arthritis pain. However, by using these tips, this winter will be a much more pleasant time for you.
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