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Self-careis important for everyone living in our stress-inducing world.
Morgan Johnson
But self-care is even more essential for people who need to manage theirrheumatoid arthritis.
Which is why you have to try different things and find what works for you.
At the end of the day, its about caring for yourself the best way you might.
Hopefully these ideas can help.
Many people dont understand what the flexibility in self-care actually means because its become so convoluted.
Is it buying fancy slippers?
Is it indulging in an expensive massage?
Simply put, self-care just means caring for yourself, whatever that looks like.
Some days that might include a yoga session.
Other days she might need to rest.
Regular mediation helpsJulie M., 51, a health coach with rheumatoid arthritis, wake up energized.
It also helped with my pain levels, she tells SELF.
Meditation can help keep stress levels low.
Krista-Lynn meditates up to three times a day to manage stress and practice mindfulness.
They respond with positive affirmations that Samantha uses to reframe hernegative thoughts.
Your community support doesnt have to come from Facebook or people in your immediate circle.
Living with a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis can be a total grab bag of unknowns.
The disease is unpredictable, and its absolutely necessary topractice self-compassion.
Samantha says thatpracticing gratitude dailyis important for her mental and emotional well-being.
I love compression gloves for when my hands ache, especially during colder months, she says.
Deep Blue Rub by doTERRA ($12,Amazon) is a lifesaver for me, Krista-Lynn says.
It soothes aches and pains and nourishes my joints.
Common active ingredients include capsaicin, salicylates, menthol, camphor, and lidocaine.
AsSELF previously reported, cannabidiolbetter known as CBDis a cannabinoid, a punch in of compound found in cannabis.
Because some cannabinoid receptors are involved in the pain response, CBD is most commonly touted as apain reliever.
However, anecdotally, some people say it works for them.
Julie says that CBD has been hugely helpful, both topically and orally, for relieving her arthritis pain.
What I found was that the key was to use it religiously.
She puts it on her hands multiple times a day and finds that it helps her manage the pain.
The cookbook also discusses thefoods that may be inflammatoryand are worth avoiding for people with R.A.
I think that any person with R.A. has to have this on their bookshelf, Samantha says.
Its the most clear and concise info about R.A.
I have ever found anywhere.
Meditation doesnt have to look any one way for it to benefit you.
For most beginners, guided meditation is helpful because you have someone, well, guide you through it.
Samantha suggests trying multiple programs and apps to find one that works for you.
She also suggests the appsBreetheandMy Life.
Shes also a life coach, so theres always some form of positivity in there, Samantha says.
Okay, so this podcast isnt exactly about how to manage rheumatoid arthritis or any chronic illness at all.
But Samantha says remembering that youre not the only one with problems can be helpful.
He does a lot of celebrity interviews, and I like that he talks to them about real-life problems.
Im not the only one, she says.
This podcast by Yale University professor Laurie Santos, Ph.D., is focused on the research of happiness.
Samantha says it really taught her the meaning of self-care.
What does self-care mean?
This podcast showed her that self-care can actually be simple.
It can mean taking five minutes out of the day to put her feet in hot water.
Listening to this podcast is what finally made the concept click for her.
