If you suffer from chronic joint pain from conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia you may find it a struggle to enjoy the holiday season due to the chronic pain and fatigue that often accompanies these conditions at this time of year.
If so, you're not alone. The hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming for anyone, but for those with arthritis or fibromyalgia, it can be especially challenging.
With more housework, food shopping and cooking to be done for house guests staying plus the additional stress of organising a family Christmas, joints can be pushed a lot harder than normal.
Navigating the holiday season with joint pain doesn't have to be overwhelming. By prioritising self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed, you can still enjoy a festive and joyous Christmas.
With some careful planning and by sticking to some essential guidelines, you can still have a joyful and meaningful holiday season.
Here are five tips to help you navigate the Christmas season and keep your joints as pain-free as possible.
1.The Gift of Saying No
One of the most important things you can do for yourself during the holiday season is to learn to say no. It's easy to feel pressured to attend every party, participate in every activity, and say yes to every request for help. However, this can quickly lead to burnout and exacerbate your joint pain symptoms.
Remember, it's okay to prioritise your well-being and set boundaries. Don't be afraid to decline invitations or ask for help when you need it.
2. Stay Off The Sweets
While indulging in holiday treats may be tempting, sugary and high-carb foods can actually worsen joint inflammation. Sugar and processed foods can cause inflammation in the body, leading to increased pain and fatigue.
Instead of reaching for that extra piece of mince pie, try to opt for healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Your body will thank you for it.
3. Prepare Your Pain Relief Plan
Make sure that you have enough medication to get you through the holiday period. Plan ahead to ensure that you have everything you need and don't run out.
As a natural joint pain relief aid it's important to have handt some non-medicated anti-inflammatory pain-relief options to reduce your reliance on meicated pain relief.
For aching, swelling and stiffness from arthritis, try Actimas B&C Joint Rub, which contains two ancient Christmas spices Frankincense and Myrrh, both with a proven strog anti-inflammatory action on joint pain.
For fibromyalgia joint pain, Actimas Celafen contains long-chain fatty acids in a topical formula with proven anti-inflammatory results that are faster than most oral pain killers to excellent for dealing with sudden nerve ending pain flares. It’s also highly effective for improving mobility of stiff and inflexible morning joints. Apply Celafen in the morning while still warm in bed and leave to sink in for 15 minutes before getting up.
If you start using these non-medicated pain-relief aides a few weeks ahead Christmas they have an accumulative effect so you can start to reduce the risk of having a chronic pain flare before it happens, therefore reducing the severity and perhaps even avoiding a flare altogether. Using non-medicated joint pain relief through the festive period instead of medicated painkillers may also mean you have less of a risk of getting an upset tummy.
4. Don't Be A Night Owl
Staying up late to wrap presents, bake cookies, or attend late-night parties might seem like a good idea at the time, but it can wreak havoc on your joint pain symptoms.
Lack of quality sleep can worsen pain, fatigue, and cognitive function, making it harder to enjoy the holiday festivities. To avoid exacerbating your symptoms, try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule and prioritise restorative sleep. Your body will thank you for it in the morning.
5. Hint You Need Help
As a joint pain sufferer, it's important to recognise when you need help and not be afraid to ask for it. Whether it's asking a family member to help with household chores, enlisting a friend to assist with holiday shopping, or seeking support from a healthcare provider, don't hesitate to reach out for assistance. Dealing with heavy pans while cooking for large amounts of people ca be particularly taxing on hand and finger joints so make sure you get someone to assist in the kitchen if you are cooking.
Remember, you don't have to do it all on your own. By asking for help, you can alleviate some of the stress and burden that can exacerbate your joint pain symptoms.
