Articles

There is an old saying: “Good fences make good neighbors.” Having healthy boundaries in relationships is important for everyone, especially for people with a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Setting and defending boundaries allows...

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can mean having limited energy, time, and bandwidth. You may find yourself needing to say "no" more often than you did before you developed RA. Do you have a tough time being direct with others about how you...

Explaining Rheumatoid Arthritis to Friends and Family Explaining rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to family members can be emotionally draining. While many members of myRAteam receive tremendous support from loved ones, others face family who struggle to...

When Australian Open winner and former world No. 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki revealed she has rheumatoid arthritis in late 2018, a wave of empathy and validation washed over the RA community. “Wow. Even her, too?”Three things happen for us...

Keeping promises to yourself is a way to focus on self-nurture. This could mean making a commitment to "you" time on a regular basis to tend to yourself. Keep a regular date with yourself to focus on whatever helps you feel calm and centered in...

Have you ever told a white lie to be kind, to protect the feelings of others, or maybe to simply avoid stigma? You're not alone.For some living with a chronic condition, telling a white lie can be a way to save one's strength. Sometimes it's...

Addiction Suspicion and RA Being shamed or regarded with suspicion when you seek treatment for pain can be hurtful and isolating. Unfortunately, it’s not an unusual experience. Members on myRAteam report instances of being shamed by close family...

While we all know the multiple things that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) takes from us and the bad things it gives us—the expected pain and the joints that don’t work, the never-ending doctor appointments regarding the disease, and the other...

Foods to Avoid and RAConversations about diet and which foods to avoid are a constant on myRAteam. The general recommendation for people with RA is a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fat. Some members...

Saying "no" with grace and honesty can be challenging. Sometimes our fear of ending a conversation awkwardly or letting a friend or relative down can nudge us into saying "yes" to things that are difficult for us. When managing a chronic...