The Key to Combatting Arthritis... Activity!
In the US, 21% of all adults (roughly 53 million people) and nearly 300,000 children have arthritis. And the cause of arthritis is predominantly joint inflammation. Billions of dollars have gone into research to better understand the underlying causes of arthritis along with finding remedies that can help treat the inflammation and reduce the pain.
By far, the most important thing you can do to reduce the onset of arthritis is move!
Being active combats fatigue and reduces joint pain. Additionally, it increases coordination, strength, flexibility, and can boost your mood!
But we also understand that when you’re in pain, it can dissuade you from wanting to get moving. So, we put together 6 proven ways you can soothe the pain or spark the inspiration inside of you to get active:
1. Get in the Sun
Did you know that sunlight exposure and vitamin D levels are associated with lower knee cartilage volume loss? Research suggests that maintaining robust vitamin D levels from the sun may prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. In addition, sunlight can positively impact your mood, circadian rhythm (aka your sleep cycle), metabolism, and so much more. The sun also provides warmth, which can soothe joint pain.
2. Consume a Bit of Caffeine
There is no denying that mental alertness impacts motivation, athletic performance and physical output, and much more. This is why so many athletes utilize caffeine prior to workouts even though there can be some drawbacks. So, if you’re finding it difficult to get started or moving, maybe start with a cup of coffee or some green tea to get you going! Just be careful not to rely on caffeine for every activity, because the effects can wear off and too much caffeine can become a problem.
3. Set Attainable Goals
Caffeine will never trump the goals you set for yourself. If you’re passionate and establish attainable goals, the likelihood of adhering to a plan, being consistent and making progress is exponentially higher. Whether you want to shoot in the 80s in golf, run a mile in under 7 minutes, lose 10 pounds, or just be able to walk a full lap around the neighborhood, set your goals and stick to them! Write them down, set a date for when you want to achieve your goals, mark them in your calendar, and share your goals with your friends and family so they hold you accountable.
4. Pump Up the Jams!
Music is able to stimulate our senses — there is literally a connection between auditory neurons and motor neurons and it is why music can make us more mobile and feel more motivated. Pick your favorite upbeat playlist or music, turn up the volume to get you feeling your best and ready to take on the world (or, you know, go on a 15 minute jog around the block… whatever floats your boat).
5. Patch Up!
STAMINAPRO Electroceutical patches are clinically-proven to reduce inflammation and pain and the effects can be felt within minutes. The more you wear them, the better they work, too! The patches not only help with arthritis pain and inflammation, but they can help prevent your muscles from experiencing as much fatigue and soreness.
6. Partner Up
A support system is an amazingly powerful tool. Find friends or family members that have common goals and support each other in achieving them. Share your experiences or relevant information you find about the activity or goal you’re pursuing. Share in the wins, and pick each other up when you have missteps.
Living life in pain can affect more than how you physically feel. Getting active can help to combat and prevent arthritis pain, as well as help boost your mood. We understand getting active while in pain can be difficult. Start using STAMINAPRO patches to help reduce pain and inflammation before, during, and after your workouts.
