The holidays can be fun, but they can also be busy, stressful, and tiring, especially when you’re living with arthritis. Here are some practical tips from our community to help you get through the season with less pain, more balance, and a little more joy.
Pace yourself
Listen to your body and work within its capabilities. Pace yourself by doing the same amount of physical activity on good days as you would on bad days. This helps you achieve more every day with less pain, exhaustion, and stress as you remove yourself from the boom-bust cycle. Plan downtime before and after busy days.
“My Brain needs to engage and listen to my body more.”
Plan and prioritise
No one can do it all! Try to prioritise what is most important and what you can achieve within your capabilities. Decorate room by room, batch-cook when you’re feeling okay, and wrap a few gifts at a time. Gift bags are a great alternative if your hands are sore. If shopping is exhausting, shop online, click-and-collect, or ask someone to pick things up for you.
“Prioritise—can it wait until tomorrow? Looking after yourself makes everyone’s time more joyful.”
Manage stress
Remember that Christmas gatherings can be wonderful, but also overwhelming. It’s okay to say “no.” Try calming activities like mindfulness, gentle stretching, meditation, or simply listening to music. Feeling stressed or in pain can affect your mood. Focusing on what you can do helps make symptoms easier to manage.
“Definitely reading a book for me.”
Stay hydrated
It can be easy to become dehydrated during the hot summer months with lots going on, alongside Christmas parties and celebrations. Alternate your drinks with a glass of water in between. Alcohol can interact with many arthritis medications. Drink in moderation and know what’s safe for your prescriptions.
Cool off, keep moving
Even when things get busy, stick with the routines that work for you. Short walks, stretching, tai chi, or gentle exercise. Make the most of the warm weather and go for a swim in the sea or your local pool. Water exercise can be a great low-impact way to stay active.
Eat well
Enjoy festive treats, but aim for balance. Try to include plenty of plant foods on your plate when you’re at a Christmas function – vegetables and fruit, legumes like chickpeas, beans or lentils, and wholegrains like oats, brown rice, couscous or quinoa. These are all key foods within a Mediterranean diet.
Use helpful tools
Kitchen aids, symptom-tracking apps, or simple gadgets can make daily tasks easier. Lean on the tools that help you conserve energy. Maybe you could ask for one for Christmas!
“I recommend a battery-operated jar opener.”
