About This Column
Here you'll find advice on how to take a more comprehensive approach toward managing your rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Keep in mind, this column is intended to advise you on how to complement your treatment, not replace it. Please consult your doctor to determine what advice may be right for you.
Featured Article
‘Tis the Season to Shop With Less Stress
Dec 2, 2009
The holiday season can offer memorable times spent with family and friends. But all too often the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping can be quite stressful. And if you're living with RA, those seemingly endless trips to the mall can put added stress on your joints in many ways (eg, walking more than you usually do and carrying too many packages). That's why I'd like to share some joint-friendly ways to not only shop, but to wrap and deliver gifts as well.
Shop in Your Pajamas From books to toys to clothing to DVDs, nearly everything that's available at the mall can be purchased safely and securely online. Some retailers even offer gift-wrapping with personalized greeting cards and shipping. So presents can be sent directly to your family and friends. Taking advantage of these options can save you time and energy, not to mention put less stress on your joints.
Choose Paper or Plastic Gift cards and gift certificates can help you keep it simple, especially when shopping for those “hard to please” folks. Unless you have a particular retailer in mind, I recommend gift cards offered by credit card companies. They can be conveniently purchased in many grocery stores and pharmacies, and your family and friends can choose a gift that's to their liking from a wide variety of retailers. You might even consider purchasing the same gift card for everyone on your list, so you can get all of your shopping done in one fell swoop.
Think Outside the Box If you prefer to handpick (and wrap) your gifts, here are some other suggestions to help you take the strain out of wrapping:
Use gift bags instead of boxes and wrapping paper. All you have to do is drop the present in the bag and cover it with some decorative tissue paper
Purchase pre-cut wrapping paper to help save your fingers from the strain of cutting with scissors
Use a “pop-up tape” dispenser so you don't have to pinch and pull the tape when preparing to cut each piece
Throw a gift-wrapping party! Invite family and friends who are willing to lend a hand, and enjoy some holiday treats and tunes
There's nothing like giving a gift and watching it light up a loved one's face. And there's no reason why that joy has to come at the expense of your health. So when you're doing your holiday shopping this season, keep in mind that there are ways to spread good cheer without putting too much stress on your body.
Managing Pain and Stress
