Living with arthritis can be difficult at any time of day. It can cause pain and stiffness in your joints, impacting your mobility and ability to perform even the simplest tasks. But for most arthritis patients, the mornings are the most challenging part of the day. When you wake up, your body feels even stiffer than usual, and just getting out of bed can be difficult. Keep reading to get some tips on how to make your mornings better, despite your arthritis.
Prepare the Night Before
A good morning begins the night before, with proper preparation. Prepare your outfit by doing any ironing needed, pre-tying neckties and scarves, and laying everything out flat. Select your outfit carefully, choosing items that are easy to put on.
Then, set your medication, a glass of water, and some crackers beside your bed. Set your alarm for an hour before you usually wake up. When it goes off, take your medication with a glass of water and a few crackers to prevent an upset stomach. Reset your alarm for your normal wake-up time and go back to sleep. When you wake up, you’ll already have the medication in your system, making it easier to get out of bed and get dressed.
Begin with a Stretch
But don’t get out of bed just yet. When your alarm goes off, do some light stretching in bed. Stretch your arms over your head and point your toes. Gently roll your ankles in both directions. Rock your hips side to side. Bend and straighten your knees. These simple movements will help wake up your joints and significantly improve your day.
Warm It Up
Heat can do wonders for joint stiffness. You have a few options for warming yourself up in the morning. If you have a heated blanket, turn it on when you take your medication in the morning and lay it over the joints most affected by your arthritis.
Or, when you get out of bed, take a hot bath or shower. Make sure you have an accessible walk-in tub or walk-in shower to accommodate for your reduced mobility. The hot water will soothe your whole body and improve mobility in every joint.
Ask for Help
If you take every step you can think of to make your mornings more manageable, but you’re still struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family members may be able to come by in the mornings to help you with dressing, preparing breakfast, and other morning tasks that might be difficult when your stiffness and pain are at their worst.
If your arthritis makes mornings difficult, invest in a walk-in tub or shower and follow the steps above to have a better morning every morning.
