By Audrey Epps, OTR, CHT, Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center
The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration, but for people living with arthritis, they can also bring extra challenges. From cooking big meals to wrapping gifts and decorating the house, festive activities can quickly become physically demanding. However, with a little planning and a few mindful adjustments, it’s possible to enjoy the season while keeping the joint pain to a minimum.
1. Plan and Pace Your Activities.
Try to break big tasks into smaller chunks of time and spread them out throughout the months prior to the start of the holidays, rather than doing all your shopping, cooking, and decorating all at once. You may also want to consider delegating tasks that have a lower priority level for you. This will help prevent overexertion and flare-ups of joint pain. Making small changes on a daily basis can positively impact your symptoms.
2. Prioritize Self-Care and Rest. Holidays can be full of social, physical and emotional demands, which can increase stress and subsequently impact your arthritis symptoms. It is important to make time for good sleep, relaxation and saying “no” when necessary. Try to schedule “rest” into your daily routine to ensure that it does not get skipped.
3. Choose Joint -Friendly Movements and Equipment. Keep your joints moving via participation in low impact activities, like walking and gentle stretching. Protect your joints with assistive devices or ergonomic tools, like wide-handle utensils, jar openers, or adapted gift wrapping tools.
For an individualized approach for compensatory strategies and devices, you may want to consult an occupational therapist. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 973-322-7500.
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The experienced and compassionate staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation Centers, with locations in West Orange and Livingston, offers adults and children the specialized care they need to resume an active life after surgery, injury or illness. Staff is committed to providing patients with the most advanced services in a safe, caring and soothing environment. For high-risk patients who are unable to visit in person, telehealth is an option. Patients do not need a prescription for physical therapy services.
Audrey Epps, OTR, CHT, is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist at the RWJBarnabas Ambulatory Care Center. Audrey has 35 years of clinical experience and has been a staff member at the facility since 1990. She became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2001. Her area of specialty is orthopedic hand rehabilitation. She strives to always provide excellent care, compassion and empathy for her patients.