Does your arthritis get worse in the winter? You’re not alone.
Seasonal changes can greatly impact arthritis symptoms. And while it’s not possible to fully prevent increased joint pain and stiffness in cold weather, you can do a few things to help.
- Stay warm. Keeping your body warm can relieve arthritis pain and loosen up the joints. Protect your hands, feet, and head by layering up before you go outside. If you feel too hot, you can always peel off a layer.
- Get daily exercise. Movement increases muscle strength around your joints, which can relieve pressure. Warm up by stretching, then ease yourself into a low-impact workout routine like walking, swimming, or hot yoga.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts pressure on your joints, especially your knees and hips. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and incorporate omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day helps ensure your joint fluid stays hydrated, reducing the friction between your bones.
Implementing one or all of these practices can help ease arthritis pain this winter.
These tips originally appeared in an article from Maple’s blog: Does arthritis get worse when the seasons change?
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