Living with arthritis or any other chronic illness or disability isn’t easy, but here are some tips to make life just a little bit easier!

• Ask for help – in any way, shape, or form, when necessary.
• Make meal prep a family affair – you’ll get quality bonding time and have extra assistance in the kitchen.
• Make sure that your home is comfortable, safe, and arthritis-friendly!
• Wear clothing that is adaptive or uncomplicated. When your hands are acting up, for example, do not wear a shirt with a multitude of buttons or a necklace with an awkward clasp.
• Try using ergonomic, arthritis-friendly products that are adaptive in nature or that have the Ease of Use commendation.
• See a psychotherapist or counselor to help you manage the emotional side of living with a chronic illness or disability.
• Keep a health journal to track your symptoms and what makes them better.
• See the world through rose-colored glasses: a positive attitude, and a focus on optimism and happiness will help you get through, day-to-day.
• Exercise – it may seem hard at first but will help you get stronger and healthier which can only make your life easier in the long run!
• Get a pet – pets are known to increase health and longevity, and a service dog could be very helpful in making your life just a little bit easier.
• Take a friend or family shopping with you to help you reach things on high shelves, or carry heavy shopping bags.
• Educate yourself on your condition and ALL treatment options available, from the traditional to the alternative and beyond.
• Connect with others with illnesses like yours.
• Find organizations in your community that focus on your rights, or organizations that can help you find work or go back to work.
• Hire a cleaning service or maid now and then, to help you with difficult housework, or pay a family member to do it. You can also barter – if they help you clean, what can you offer them?
• Wear comfortable shoes – why make life more difficult by teetering in impossible heels?
• Ride shotgun when you can — if you don’t have to drive, let your partner or a friend do it!
• Get proper rest: this will increase energy and health, decrease fatigue, all of which may make your life just a little bit easier. Same goes with eating healthfully!
• Check Pinterest and other social media sites for general tips about how anyone can simplify their life – arthritis or not!

Do you have any other tips to add to the list? If so, please share by leaving a comment.

Stay Well,

Ashley Boynes-Shuck

What’s YOUR weapon against arthritis?

Let’s all unite against arthritis. Together, we will achieve the vision of a world free from arthritis pain.