No matter where you are with your emotional journey with arthritis, you do have options for managing your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Coping with pain and the limitations that may come with your pain can wear on you emotionally.
It’s natural and understandable for people with arthritis to experience many ups and downs throughout their journey.
However, we have made it our goal to help you experience more ups than you do downs when living with arthritis.
So, let’s spend a few minutes together today to talk about a few steps you can take to improve your emotional wellbeing when living with arthritis.
Address the Emotional Side
Your mind and body are closely linked.
Many have come to agree that our physical symptoms influence the feelings we experience.
And our emotions we feel can change the way we perceive our physical symptoms, and sometimes make them worse.
For example, when you’re experiencing pain in your body you might become short tempered toward your family, friends and co-workers.
Now, on the other hand, focusing your mind on something positive in your life can make your aches and pains easier to cope with.
Best selling author, Tony Robbins, states:
“You can’t be grateful and angry simultaneously. You can’t be grateful and worried simultaneously. If you cultivate gratitude, you will experience a happier quality of life.”
That’s why caring for your emotional health is a very important part of living happily with your arthritis.
Your thoughts can help you cope with the aches and pains.
Here are a few steps you can take to improve your emotional wellbeing when dealing with arthritis:
Here are a few steps you can take to improve your emotional wellbeing when dealing with arthritis:
Step 1: Do what you can to keep negative emotions at bay.
You can do this by focusing on your physical and emotional self-care. Some self-care options include mind-body practices, music therapy, exercise, a healthy diet, massage and walking.
Step 2: Get involved.
Getting involved in social activities have been known to help prevent feelings of isolation and has helped many find outlets for gratitude, laughter and play.
Step 3: Ask for help.
Never stop asking for help. It’s there for a reason. Seeking out professional counseling or an arthritis-specific support group can give you an outlet to talk about your emotions and provide you with coping mechanisms.
Remember that you aren’t alone in your feelings. If you need a support group you can join our community on Facebook!