It's hard to believe that another holiday season is in full swing, and the time for sending out holiday cards is here again. If you're anything like me, that list of addresses grows yearly without ever shrinking. Buying, writing, addressing, stamping, and mailing a stack of greeting cards can be challenging, and even painful for someone living with RA. Your hands may not always cooperate, and all that extra writing can place added strain on your joints. But, there are steps you can take to make this seasonal task a lot less strenuous on your joints. Here's how:
Send pre-printed greetings
Ordering pre-printed holiday cards with personalized greetings is a readily available option. You can also use your computer to print up address label stickers. Most software packages include easy-to-use address label templates. These options will eliminate the need to sign and address each and every card and envelope by hand, and it will save a good deal of time, too.
Send e-card greetings
The Internet offers seemingly endless choices when it comes to sending out holiday greetings. There are dozens of e-card sites to choose from, and many of them are free. E-cards can be personalized, animated, and play music. And they can easily be sent to all of your friends and family in just a few simple clicks. With the time and money you'll save by sending e-cards, you might even manage to spread your holiday cheer to more folks than ever before. And while I'm on the subject of savings, think about all that paper you'll save by removing the need for cards and envelopes. Not to mention saving on the cost of stamps, too. That's what I call a win-win!
But, if you truly enjoy writing, signing, and sending holiday cards the old-fashioned way, then by all means, do so. Just try not to push yourself. I encourage you to take frequent breaks as you go along, and perform hand exercises, too (with the approval of your rheumatologist, of course). For hand and finger exercises, please refer to the, “ Warming Up Your Hands for the Holidays” article, which was posted on November 19, 2008.
But before you start writing and addressing all those cards by hand, consider the joint-friendly options that I've offered here. I'm sure your friends and family will appreciate your pre-printed cards or e-greetings just as much as they would traditionally signed cards. And I know for a fact that your joints will appreciate them even more.
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Wellness Weekly Column
by Manette LaChance | RISE Fitness and Wellness Expert
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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
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.
Make Writing Holiday Greetings Easier on Your Joints
Dec 16, 2009
Managing Pain and Stress
