8 Top Tips for Staying Well at Home
It is important that people living with arthritis continue to self-manage their condition in order to reduce any painful symptoms, if they have tested positive for Covid-19 and are self-isolating.
We have put together some tips on how to stay well and continue managing your arthritis while self-isolating. Whether it’s maintaining a healthy diet, or getting creative on your exercise routine, there are still many things we can be doing to care for ourselves and help reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
1. Keep on exercising
It’s very important to stay active even when self-isolating. Regular exercise is essential for anyone living with arthritis as it helps strengthen muscles that protect and support your joints.
It is common to feel a little stiff and sore around the joints or in the muscles after exercise, especially if you have been inactive for a while. You should still aim to exercise every day where possible, even if you have a joint condition.
2. Get creative
Don’t worry if you don’t have any exercise equipment at home. Get creative! Fill empty milk containers with water to do some simple exercises, or see how many times you can lift yourself out of your seat in a minute.
Now is also a good time to look for online classes or activities that might suit you, if we have to stay at home for an indefinite period.
3. Keep a balanced diet
You can support your immune system by following a balanced and varied diet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that we should eat at least 5 portions a day of fresh fruit and vegetables, which will help your body fight any nasty bugs or illnesses.
4. Practice self-care
Whether it’s listening to your favourite radio show, reading a book, or just taking a moment each day to yourself – make sure you take the time each day to do something that you enjoy.
Doing something nice for yourself will produce natural endorphins, which will help keep you happy and improve your mood. Read our page on improving your wellbeing while living with arthritis.
5. Try seated exercises
Even while you’re at home, there are many things you can do from a seated positon to mobilise your joints and reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
Check out our moving image exercise page for some simple ways to keep mobile at home and improve joint mobility. Try doing ten minutes every day to keep your body active.
6. Make sure you’re getting your vitamins…
Vitamins A, B, C, D & E, as well as iron, zinc and selenium are found to be important in keeping you healthy and supporting your body to fight illnesses such as Coronavirus.
Make sure you eat lots of different coloured fruit and vegetables, to supply your body with these vitamins.
7. … Especially Vitamin D!
We don’t normally obtain enough Vitamin D from just our food, so using a supplement containing 10mcg could be advisable if you’re stuck indoors for most of the day. Vitamin D plays a key role in our skeletal muscle function.
8. Get enough sleep
Sleep is vital to help our body work properly, so make sure you’re giving yourself time to get enough good quality sleep each day.
Try to find a winding-down routine before bedtime, such as having a bath or a warm milky drink, to help you nod off each evening.