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Keeping a positive attitude may help you better control your condition.
Below is a list of things that others with arthritis do to stay upbeat. No doubt there are many others. See what works for you.
- Learn as much as you can about osteoarthritis. Go to the library or bookstore, ask your doctor questions, visit trustworthy online resources.
- Accept your limits, but focus on what you can do. Take up new activities and hobbies that you can master and learn to enjoy.
- Allow yourself to rest. Not enough “down time” will only make your body and mind feel worse.
- Laugh. Your sense of humor doesn’t leave you when you’re in pain. But it may be harder to find it. Try to see the brighter side of things. Build your own “humor collection” of comic strips, jokes, or whatever tickles your funny bone. Watch comedies.
- Seek support. You don’t have to go it alone. Your family and friends can be sources of love, sympathy, and understanding. Turn to them. Also, think about joining a support group for people with osteoarthritis. There you can meet people dealing with problems like yours. Learn how they’re coping with their condition.
- Avoid negative thinking. People who are down on themselves often make small events seem too big. They may see small setbacks as a pattern of defeat. If you feel yourself falling into these patterns, try to find a way out. Try one of the ideas above for starters.
Also of Interest
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