Does your morning routine with Rheumatoid Arthritis have you frustrated? If you are a part of the 1.5 millions of Americans that have Rheumatoid Arthritis, getting ready in the morning can be a literal pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA is an auto immune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its joints. That in turn causes the tissue that lines the inside of the joints to thicken, resulting in pain and swelling around the joints.
When waking up, your joints are stiff and it can be painful moving them for the first time after hours of rest. You want to move slow, but you have places you need to be, and you can’t slow time down with you. Here are some real suggestions, from real people with RA on how to ease the pain of your morning routine and conservation of energy:
Give Yourself Extra Time
I know, I know, you need every precious minute of sleep you can get, so hear me out. Allowing even 30 more minutes into warming your body up by easy stretching is a great way to start off slow.
Shower at Night
This option may not be for everyone, but showering at night will reduce the amount of things you have to do in the morning. If you are in a flare up however, a hot shower may be a must.
Hair Care
In today’s world, dry shampoos options are everywhere. Even if you shower in the morning, opting to not wash your hair every day can help alleviate the strain it puts on your hands, wrists, and shoulders.
Talk with your stylist or barber about having a hairstyle that is easy to maintain. Short cuts can be a really great option, but in some hair types, it may be more work, so choose wisely.
Product Options
Choose a product that you can open when you have RA, especially alone. Purchase items that have pumps versus a twist off lid. Limit makeup, or eliminate makeup in a flare up can help as well. Items with a bigger handle will not require as much effort to hold. Here is a great link on other options for opening products with RA.
Clothing that pulls on, or slips on rather than zipping, or buttoning, with help you avoid being unable to close or secure clothing.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with RA, New England Research Associates currently has enrolling studies for those seeking new treatment options. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see how you or someone you love may qualify for a study, click HERE.
