For some people, “self-care” is everything they do to take care of themselves and live a healthy lifestyle. For others, it means some very specific activities. More recently, people use the term “self-care” to refer to their physical, emotional and psychological health.

Many types of arthritis are lifelong conditions that cause ups and downs or uncertainties in daily life. Arthritis can disrupt how a person takes care of their family, how they manage work, what leisure activities they participate in and so much more. “Good days” and “bad days,” or ups and downs, can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to live well, despite having arthritis.

It’s not uncommon for people living with arthritis to experience periods of depression. Constantly dealing with uncertainties in life can impact a person’s mental health and can be exhausting. It’s very important to take mental health breaks from time-to-time – especially when living with a chronic disease. 

Regular physical activity can lift mood and support mental health. It helps people maintain strength, flexibility and mobility so they can continue to do the things they need and want to do. A life balance is also important. People should consider where they want to spend their energy and set priorities. It’s helpful for people to consider what gives life meaning and satisfaction. Everything in moderation to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Delegating tasks to other family members can also be helpful. 

There have been a number of studies that show that more severe types of arthritis – like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus – can have a significant impact on how people organize their day-to-day lives and can also disrupt their roles in life. A parent with arthritis, for example, might not be able to deal with buttons and snaps on sleepers. But doing traditional parenthood activities does not make someone a mom or dad. It’s being satisfied as a mom or dad. It’s bigger than whether someone can do up snaps or get a diaper on or engage in physical play. Instead of playing the sport, a person can applaud from the sidelines. While arthritis disrupts the way a person does things, it shouldn’t disrupt the way they feel about fulfilling different life roles – employee, partner, parent, etc. 

We know from stress management studies that, while people are resilient, they can’t deal with prolonged periods of severe stress. In fact, there is a connection between stress levels and severity of arthritis symptoms. However, people with arthritis and other chronic diseases can learn to recognize periods of stress that are beyond normal or when they have reached a threshold where they need to do something differently. They can also learn to reach out for support in managing the daily responsibilities of life with a chronic disease. 

Most people are familiar with the saying, “Everything in moderation.” And most people have more than one identity. We identify as a parent or partner or child or worker or boss. We can also identify based on the things we like doing in life – golfer, cyclist, etc. Some people can carry a very strong identity or belief in the way that they stay healthy is because they are a weekend warrior or exceptional athlete and then a disease like arthritis interrupts that. Someone might have been a marathon runner or cycled to and from work every day and arthritis then gets in the way. They can’t fulfill those ambitions anymore because of the symptoms of their disease. For some people, finding a substitute physical activity is fine. For other people, it can be a really difficult adjustment. People need to consider what is important to them and what it was about specific occupations and activities that they can no longer do that told them who they were. They can then find a substitute or do activities differently and find balance. For example, maybe someone cycles for short periods on weekends instead of cycling to work every day.

Occupational balance is defined as doing the right activities, in the right amount at the right time. This will be different for everyone.

A person’s support team can include health and other professionals like a rheumatologist, as well as kinesiologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, vocational counsellors, social workers, physical trainers, etc. Informal team members, like friends and family, are also important. 

Generally, a healthy diet helps people sleep better, move better and have a better response to the ups and downs of daily life with arthritis, including symptoms. A dietitian or nutritionist can help people determine what is best for them. Because of the different types of arthritis, as well as the different medications people take for arthritis, nutritional advice is specific to each individual. 

Because arthritis is lifelong, what worked last week, might not work next year because you have different demands on your time. Symptoms can also change over time. You might have shifted your priorities and have different things you want to do. People should be responsive and adaptable. Consider what is most important “now.” 

No, always consult your rheumatologist before making any major changes. There are also undesirable effects of suddenly stopping medications. For example, symptoms can flare. Always make decisions about medications with people who know about those medications. You can be captain of your own ship and make decisions, but you really want to take advantage of the expert advice that’s available to you.

Occupational therapists are a vital part of a person’s care team. They can provide guidance and options on performing daily activities and managing symptoms like pain, fatigue and more. We’ve put together a list of tips and advice that members of our Arthritis Patient Advisory Board have received from occupational therapists throughout their years of living with different types of arthritis.

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Chris Pudlak was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2016. At the time, he was only 36 years old and a father to three young children. Pudlak is now a member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Arthritis Patient Advisory Board and has published a book about his journey. It’s called Achieving Wellness Through Arthritis: How My Journey with Ankylosing Spondylitis Can Offer a Path to Wellness. We sat down with him to find out more about his book and journey.

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Imagine feeling good one day and waking up in debilitating pain the next. For people living with inflammatory arthritis, this is an experience they know all too well: the onset of a flare. Julia is a member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her thirties. Over the years, she has learned that prioritizing her health and well-being is key to getting through flares and living a full life with inflammatory arthritis. Discover her strategies for coping during a flare.

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It’s normal to feel anxious as we navigate through uncertainty and it’s more important than ever to prioritize self-care during times of change. Here are some tips and coping strategies shared by the members of Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board.

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OPINION: There is a limit to how much time we can spend in our jammies, streaming movies. Sit down with a tablet (paper or electronic) and sketch out a daily routine. Learn more in this Vancouver Sun article by Skye Barbic and Arthritis Research Canada Occupational Therapist and Senior Scientist, Dr. Catherine Backman. 

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Arthritis Life is a channel, podcast and resource created by Cheryl Crowe, a physiotherapist living with rheumatoid arthritis. This resource seeks to educate, empower and inspire individuals who have inflammatory arthritis.

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Chris Pudlak is a member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board. After a year of escalating back pain, he was suddenly hit with severe arthritis in his hands, back, knees, and feet. Being in his mid-thirties, he was used to running 10Ks and cycling to work. Now, it took two hands, wincing through pain, to turn the key to the ignition in his car. After a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis, he was faced with a lifetime of illness and serious medications. However, he put his engineering hat on, started researching, and testing diets, activities, and lifestyles. He tried everything to get rid of his arthritis. It took years, but he eventually recovered and feels stronger than ever before.

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Are you contemplating a step into parenthood and also live with inflammatory arthritis? Start with these resources written for patients by patients with arthritis. This resource has been co-developed with Mamas Facing Forward, who help moms and moms-to-be living with chronic illnesses embrace the unique challenges they face and learn to find strength from them. It has also been reviewed by CAPA Medical Advisory Committee and two leading health care professionals and researchers in the field of reproductive issues, parenting and rheumatic disease: Arthritis Research Canada’s Drs. Mary De Vera and Catherine Backman.  Read these resources and get informed!

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