Keep reading for their insight on pain management, coping with mental health struggles, and embracing change.
Slow down when you oughta.
And she encourages anyone else with the condition to allow themselves that grace if their schedule allows for it.
Taking time to rest is important when you have psoriatic arthritis.
Hall says herpsoriatic arthritis symptomsusually feel the worst during the first 10 minutes after she wakes up.
Its like walking through mud or like youre running in water, she tells SELF.
Thats why she welcomes a slower pace.
Ill sit up and read the news, and hopefully my boyfriend will bring me coffee, Hall says.
I give myself those extra minutes in bed to rest and to get my mind going.
Once shes ready to start her day, she takes a shower to help relax her stiff muscles.
Give yourself permission to set new goals.
However, her symptoms can get in the way when it comes to hands-on work.
She began volunteering with the group and sharing her own psoriatic arthritis story through the website.
I had one goal and it didnt pan out the way I thought it would, she says.
Now, Ive modified it and moved on to the next.
Do your best to plan ahead for big moments.
She also packs the clothes and shoes that she feels her best in.
With that said, psoriatic arthritis is an unpredictable condition.
Determined to go, she gave herself plenty of time to get ready that day.
Prioritize your mental health too.
She overlooked it until about four years ago when she startedseeing a therapist.
In 2019, Greenwoods joint pain escalated to the point where she had to take a medical disability leave.
She became severely depressed, and at one point, had thoughts about suicide.
My pain was so extreme that I just lost all hope, she tells SELF.
I was so afraid of telling my therapist how I felt.
Greenwood says shes never had another suicidal thought since she reached out to others for support.
She continues to see her therapist and says she is still learning to manage her anxiety.
Never be ashamed to ask for what you need.
Or, you might worry about what other people are thinking of you.
Greenwood echoes Alexanders advice and says she understands that you might feel embarrassed about needing help at first.
Several years ago she began feeling really unsteady and was resistant to using a cane.
Watching Blair treat her cane like an accessory made Greenwood realize it could be more than a medical gadget.
At her request, her husband gave her a carved wooden cane for her birthday.
Im so proud to take the cane anywhere I go, she says.
Just do the best that you’ve got the option to.
