Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect your emotional well-being almost as much as it affects your physical health. As you manage this condition, use this list as a guide to make sure you’re giving your emotions the attention they deserve.
Practice mind-body techniques: Activities like meditation, guided imagery, and breathing exercises may help you relax, better manage pain, and improve your sense of well-being.
Spend time with family and friends: Your loved ones can be there for you and let you know you’re not alone.
Get regular exercise: Physical activity lowers stress hormones and boosts feel-good chemicals in the brain.
Eat a healthy diet: Nutritious foods help to ease depression symptoms and boost your mood and concentration.
Get enough sleep: Good sleep habits help you function at your best, physically and emotionally.
Join a support group: It can lighten the load to be around people who understand what you’re going through
Try therapy: Counseling can teach you different thinking patterns and show you new coping skills.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
Arthritis Foundation: “Social Support for Psoriatic Arthritis,” “Types of Meditation for Arthritis,” “Emotional Self-Care During Tough Times.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Chronic Illness,” “Does What You Eat Affect Your Mood?”
Arthritis Australia: “Emotions.”
