New Year's Resolutions to Follow This Year
New Year’s usually marks the unfortunate truth that the holiday season has come to an end and tax season has begun. It also brings the phenomenon of resolutions and the need to change from the previous year.
Although I have never been one to join a gimmicky gym or commit to getting in shape just because a new year has turned the corner, I do believe the New Year can be a great time re-establish our goals from the previous year or create new one for the year to come.
The obvious wish for those of us suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) is a cure to our constant stiffness and pain we feel. Until that happens, the following are a few potential New Year’s resolutions we can commit to.
Start or Continue a Consistent Exercise Program
Those of you reading this will think, “How can the guy who won’t join a gym after New Year’s tell me to exercise more?” Before you decide to curse my name and stop reading this article, let me explain.
I myself have limitations due to arthritis and understand it can be difficult to even move with the amount of joint pain we deal with on a daily basis. So instead of jumping to a gym membership, you need to be honest with yourself and see what amount of exercise you can tolerate.
Some people with OA are able to go to the gym and engage in the activities they offer, and others see walking around the block once as a source of exercise. Either of those sides of the spectrum are great, as long as you known deep down you are doing your best to stay active and moving despite how hard that may be with OA.
It is encouraged that people who suffer from arthritis do low-impact exercises such as biking, swimming or walking to avoid the potential for further joint damage. Also, simple stretching in the morning or at night can help immensely to loosen up sore joints.
It is especially important to stay active because becoming overweight can increase arthritic pain and increase the complications associated with arthritis. Inactivity of the joints can also lead to atrophy of the surrounding muscles and a perpetuation of the pain one experiences.
If you are unsure of what form of exercise is healthy or suitable for you, I would suggest consulting your physician.
Commit to Eating Healthier
To go along with the previous resolution of exercise, the proper nutrition program can go a long way for helping with pain associated with arthritis. I don’t believe a single magical herb or food can cure someone of their pain, but the proper diet can definitely help.
There are foods out there known to help suppress inflammatory diseases and ease the pain many of us suffer from. The foods that help with decreasing pain are thought to do so by providing antioxidants and suppressing inflammation, which are factors thought to perpetuate the pain cycle.
