The one & only thing that makes my RA life easier is knowing that it could be so much worse. I have pain in my hands & feet, but I still have arms & legs. I can't read with my left eye, but I can with my right. I got to grow up when so many others didn't.

The name of our game is positivity! Spread it around!

With much love & respect,
Sandy

3 big things for me... Humor and trying not to do it all... Showing grace and forgiveness to myself for the days when I feel like I should get a trophy for just getting out of bed. An understanding husband who has learned to read in my face when I am struggling and he'll do little things like pick up dinner or we'll go out if I feel up to it. He helps me with any of the housework that I need help with.. And the third thing that really helps is speaking up and asking for help when I absolutely need it. That was the absolute hardest.

Tools and such, I found a website that caters to those with arthritis and they have a ton of neat items, their knives in particular, to help. I also switched to lighter weight dishes and I hand wash them, as the hot water feels AMAZING when my hands start to ache. I also have my pots and pans come with "helper handles" so I can use both hands. And when I can't use both hands for those, I stick a wooden spoon handle in the one and that assists me to lift.

Trying to move every day, even if it's just simple stretches. I follow a gentleman on Instagram who specializes in mobility work and that is AMAZING to do on the days when I can barely move. I also go to physical therapy regularly, which we work on whatever has been the issue of the week. That helps keep me moving. Getting out in the sun for about 30 minutes helps, even when it's cold. That also helps with my sleep issues.. Frequent breaks, and a good playlist, I firmly believe that music has the power to heal.

I also like to make a list of things I want to get done during the week. Then I divide that list up into easy things that I can do if I feel like garbage, moderate stuff that I can get done on a good day in one session and then a list of ongoing items that I can hack a little away over the course of time. For example, we are redoing our kitchen. So I will tackle one cabinet at a time, call it quits with that one cabinet is empty. Then tackle the next cabinet on another day. I find that breaking down big things like that to help tremendously. And I still feel like I am getting stuff done.

I can think of nothing that has made my life easier with RA. I just pray for a remission.

I rest more often and hired general house cleaners for every other week. I use light weight cookware and purchased a food processor for cutting vegetables, etc. I cannot peel anything now and want to stay on a Mediterranean diet for inflammation. These few things have helped.

Consistent self care by sleeping as well as you can, warm wax on my hands, hot baths, and consistently seeing my rheumatologist and taking my meds.