Arthritis can make it feel as though your joints are on a morning strike. When you sleep, your joints and muscles become extra painful and stiff, especially in the morning. You’ve got a busy schedule and not a lot of time. And if your body refuses to cooperate, it can throw off your entire day.
Simple tasks that most people take for granted – like getting out of bed, taking a shower, getting dressed, and making breakfast – suddenly become much harder. On a good day, they’re a bit of a struggle, but on a bad day, they can feel nearly impossible.
Here are 5 little known life hacks for managing arthritis-related discomfort in the morning.
1. Heated blankets
On particularly painful days, you can find relief by using heated blankets. The application of heat is a widely recognized technique for managing pain and enhancing muscle flexibility in arthritis patients, according to experts like Maura Daly Iversen, a physical therapist and associate dean at Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
Heat not only warms the skin but also penetrates the joints, causing blood vessels to expand and improve oxygen and nutrient flow to the affected areas, offering much-needed relief to individuals dealing with arthritis-related discomfort during their mornings.
2. Compression gloves
Another way to make your mornings more comfortable is to use compression gloves. If your hands and wrists face the brunt of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, these gloves can come in handy in preventing your hands from stiffening up during the night.
You can choose between two pairs: one with full fingers and another fingerless pair, so you can perform day-to-day tasks like typing or gripping objects with ease while still benefiting from the therapeutic effects of compression gloves.
3. Meal prep
Arthritis can even make it difficult to stand in the kitchen and cook a meal for yourself or your family. Here’s a simple and smart trick: keep some healthy, ready-to-eat meals on hand, or on a better day, do some meal prep.
Cook a big batch of food and store it in small portions in your fridge or freezer. This means that when a flare-up hits, you’ve got a nutritious homemade meal all set and ready to enjoy without any extra effort.
4. Loose clothing
Another great hack for arthritis patients? Building an arthritis-friendly wardrobe. You can go for loose T shirts, dresses, skirts, or – if you have to – magnetic buttons. These special buttons use magnets to connect effortlessly. They stay put all day long and are super easy to unfasten when you’re ready to change.
There are even bras with magnetic closures in the front – talk about a handy solution!
5. Hot showers
Taking a hot shower can be a soothing relief for arthritis-related pains. The warm water helps relax your muscles and joints, easing stiffness and reducing pain. Hot showers are like a gentle, comforting hug for your body.
The heat increases blood flow to the affected areas, bringing in more oxygen and nutrients, which can further relieve your discomfort.
CAC Wellness & their commitment to your well-being
With over 18 years of experience as a Comprehensive Arthritis Care Clinic, we are committed to raising awareness about arthritis and providing resources to help you manage it effectively. Our product lineup is designed to support your mental and physical well-being, featuring essentials like Curcumin Gold, Muscle Health Support and Joint Health Support, and our Pain relief Roll On.
Curcumin Gold harnesses the potent anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric curcumin gold, while Muscle Health Support and Joint Health Support offer relief from stiffness. When combined with a well-balanced diet and low-impact exercise, our products play a crucial role in enhancing your immune system.