Tag Archives: arthritis and the holidays

Woman in Burgundy shirt using scissors to wrap gifts for Christmas

Make the Holidays Free of Pandemonium and Pain

The yearend holidays are supposed to be a time of merriment, reflection and enjoying the company of family and friends. But for many, the hustle and bustle of the season can be bone-rattling, literally and figuratively. If you battle arthritis, this time of year can be even more stressful and difficult. And that, in turn, can aggravate joint pain. Continue reading Make the Holidays Free of Pandemonium and Pain

Gratitude during the Holidays

Got Arthritis Blues? Focus on Gratitude this Season and Beyond

Embracing gratitude can make it easier to deal with family drama during the holidays. And it also may help you to manage your arthritis. Research found that thankfulness helps people feel happier and more optimistic, even when things aren’t going well.  It strengthens personal relationships and can also improve physical health. Continue reading Got Arthritis Blues? Focus on Gratitude this Season and Beyond

thanksgiving gratitude

Community Spotlight 2018: What Are You Grateful for This Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a time where many of us reflect upon the things in our lives that we feel most grateful for. While having arthritis can be difficult physically and emotionally, we asked our community to come up with some of the reasons they can count their blessings this year. Here are some of our favorite responses!

Continue reading Community Spotlight 2018: What Are You Grateful for This Thanksgiving?

Arthritis Holiday Travel

Holiday Travel Can Be a Pain

The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends and spend quality time with family. From parties to special dinners to festive family traditions, this time of year is full of joy and excitement. But if the most important people in your life don’t live nearby, you’ll probably be traveling – and when you live with arthritis, that can often mean pain. Continue reading Holiday Travel Can Be a Pain

arthritis and post-holiday depression

Bust Post-Holiday Blues

For some people, the New Year isn’t a fresh start as much as it is a time of sadness.

“The holidays are such a wonderful time with so much to do, and in the New Year that all abruptly comes to an end,” says Margaret Wehrenberg, a psychologist in Naperville, Illinois. “It can have a profound impact on your mood.”

People prone to depression – including many with arthritis – may need a doctor’s help. But if you just feel post-holiday gloom, try these strategies.

Continue reading Bust Post-Holiday Blues

peacekeeping preserving harmony holidays

Peace Talk: Preserving Family Harmony During the Holidays

Ever left a family holiday gathering churning with tension and swearing that, next year, you’re going somewhere far, far away? These events sometimes ratchet up anxiety and stress, which are not only unpleasant but also can undermine your health and well-being. Take heart. Here, three experts offer different approaches to help you keep the peace and ward off stress.

Continue reading Peace Talk: Preserving Family Harmony During the Holidays

arthritis-friendly cranberry recipes

Arthritis-Friendly Cranberry Recipes

Whether you’re serving them up in a sauce or stringing them for decorations, cranberries are a cheerful holiday staple. The bright berries are packed with antioxidants and fiber, providing cardiovascular and immune support. The problem is that we normally eat these tart berries in super-sweetened products. But by making your own cranberry treats, like these, you can get the nutritional perks without a sugar overload.

Continue reading Arthritis-Friendly Cranberry Recipes

difficult family members arthritis management

Home for The Holidays?

Family gatherings can be occasions to celebrate – or to dread. You look forward to seeing some relatives, but others leave you stressed.

The first step is to take care of yourself, says clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, PhD, a professor at California State University, Los Angeles.

“Protect your time and space,” she says. “Get your own room at a hotel or Airbnb [if you’re traveling]. Explain that you can’t stay up late.” When you’re rested and in control of your arthritis, you can more easily deal with annoyances and enjoy this “most wonderful time of the year.”

Continue reading Home for The Holidays?