6 Healthy Habits To Prevent Arthritis

What causes arthritis to flare up?

For years, the quality of life keeps on depleting because of arthritis through less applying arthritis prevention methods. From the air we breathe, the water we drink, and especially the food that we eat. We eat more of what’s not needed by our bodies and eat less of the good green stuff.

We also can’t deny that’s junk food is way cheaper compared to the healthy fruit snack. In America, Cheetos costs only $2 while a fruit salad costs $20. That’s why most Americans opt to grab a bag of Cheetos because it’s way cheaper compared to a normal fruit salad.

In restaurants, a garden salad could cost up to $50 while a simple burger at McDonald’s is only $3.99. Americans eat more junk because apparently, being healthy in this generation means you have to spend more money and some of us just can’t afford to spend that much.

The lifestyle of people nowadays is so unhealthy that diseases have also rapidly increased over time – including arthritis. People who are diagnosed with arthritis has constantly been increasing since the early 2000s and it keeps getting higher each year.

You don’t have to fret, though. As early as now, you can start practising healthy habits so that you can prevent and alleviate arthritis.

6 Healthy Habits To Help Prevent & Alleviate Arthritis

Keep your stress levels low

According to Robert H. Phillips, Ph.D., a psychologist who is also the founder and director of the Center for Coping in Hicksville, NY, “Stress exacerbates the symptoms of arthritis,” To decrease your stress levels, you can grab a pen and paper, write down everything that you’re stressing about and if you can, jot down some solutions and coping strategies you can do.

If you find work stressful, take some time off your day to breathe and relax your mind. For situations, you can’t change, you can alter the way you think, the way you perceive the pieces of information that stressed you out. The way you handle your stress depends solely on you. Always remember: “Value your accomplishments no matter how small”.

Eat Breakfast in your home

I know it’s tempting to grab brunch with the girls at your favourite restaurant in town but according to Rachel Brandeis, “if you eat out, you’re more likely to start the day with high-fat, empty-calories,”. Rachel recommends that your breakfast should have protein, high-fiver carbohydrates and a tad bit of fat. The perfect break combos would be oatmeal with fruit and skim milk, or maybe some poached egg with whole-wheat bread.

Make sure all your doctor’s records, lab, and test results, and treatment updates are safely organized inside a clean, spacious nook that you can easily open when you need them. Having a well-organized home is extremely important so that it can keep you from unwanted accidents that may cause arthritis. Also, it would be a great idea to keep a small, handy notebook that has all your doctor visits, levels of pain, medications, and everything pertinent to your health and know-how to prevent arthritis.

Get up and do arthritis prevention exercise

It’s chilly outside? Walk around your house. Does your bike have a flat tire? Run around your neighborhood. The gym is closed? Workout at home. Don’t make excuses not to exercise even for at least 15 minutes. Play with your kids (or your dog), pop in a pilates DVD or clean your whole house. These arthritis prevention activities can give your body the much-needed exercise that you need on a daily basis.

Don’t forget to snack every three hours while still controlling your weight

Your body needs food in order for your metabolism to keep on churning. If you haven’t eaten for at least three hours, your blood sugar level drops. You need a snack. No, I don’t mean the Doritos inside your pantry. Grab an apple or an avocado. Snack healthy, snack lite.

The heavier you are, the harder it is for your knees to support your weight. Women who are overweight are four times more likely to get knee osteoarthritis compared to a woman who has a normal weight. Make sure your weight can be supported well by your knees.

Drink supplements

The best way to get nutrients and arthritis prevention vitamins is through the whole, organic foods. However, you can add in a multivitamin on top of a healthy and well-balanced diet – that’s with the approval of your doctor, of course.

Eat fish

There are species of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s have tons of benefits that you can take advantage of. Women who eat fish on a regular basis have a lower risk of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis.

List of fish that are rich in omega 3s

Protect your joints

If you feel like you’re starting to experience symptoms of arthritis, it’s best to seek professional help with your doctor or a rheumatologist. The longer you wait for it to be treated, the more destruction and damage will occur to your joint.

Your doctor can suggest lifestyle changes and non-invasive treatments for arthritis prevention. Seek professional help at once. Don’t wait for it to progress. If you’re seeking a pain management specialist in New Jersey, Dr Ronak Patel is the perfect doctor for you. All you need to do is to set up an appointment with him by calling his office at (609) 269-4451.