Do you suffer from rheumatism? 8 tips to expel fatigue

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Fatigue, who does not suffer from it? It is quite common that this paralyzed feeling strikes after a day of hard work or an intensive sport for a few hours. Its then time to take a rest in order for the battery to be recharged. After a few hours, enough energy has been built up to take on new things.
However, people with rheumatoid arthritis become tired over nothing. It suddenly develops and is experienced as more extreme than ‘normal’ fatigue and the exhausted feeling does not always disappears after a few hours rest or a good night’s sleep. Like pain, it’s often not visible to your environment that you’re exhausted. Continuous or prolonged fatigue can also have a major impact on the lives of people with rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, we will give you eight tips that can help you deal with fatigue better.

1) Take a closer look at your diet

fatigue
What you eat may have a large impact on your body’s energy management. Fast food and sweet treats give only a short time energy boost. After that, the exhausted feeling is reverberated. Therefore, choose foods that help you to energize your body for a long time, such as vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Start the day with a good breakfast. Try to eat every three hours. Then the energy level of your body will remain stable. Optionally, supplement your diet with a well-balanced multivitamin and mineral complex. These contain the B-complex vitamins that stimulate the conversion of carbohydrates into bodily energy. A B12 deficiency is especially common in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

2) Get in motion

Energy is like money. You have to take action to make more of it. That means: moving with great regularity. Start slowly and build your exercise up to five days a week for half an hour. Your blood becomes more oxygen-rich, so you feel fitter and fitter. Choose the exercise you enjoy most. Walking, cycling and swimming are usually good ways to exercise for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Consult your physician or physical therapist first when you start an exercise program. If you do not do the right thing or choose the wrong exercise, the symptoms may worsen.

3) Set your limits

By doing many things in a forced way, you only make fatigue worse. Therefore, set boundaries for yourself on time. For example, divide big jobs in smaller pieces. And switch intensive activities with more relaxing tasks. And stop especially before fatigue strikes.

4) Provide a good night’s rest

During sleep, the energy level in your body is rebuilt. However, you have to prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep early in the evening. You can best stop eating at least three hours before going to bed. Do not drink caffeine and alcoholic beverages in the evening. These prevent you from falling and staying asleep. Take a warm bath before going to sleep enabling you to go to bed relaxed. Always go to bed at the same time and set the alarm at a fixed time. Provide a quiet, cool and dark bedroom.

5) Find your energy booster

hobby
What provides you with energy? Look for your personal booster. That can be a playlist of music that makes you happy, a walk in an area that makes you feel comfortable, solving a crossword puzzle. Some friends or acquaintances can also give you energy because they are having a good time listening or always want to surprise you with things. You should try to find these people and avoid people who drain your energy.

6) Discuss fatigue with your doctor

Tell your doctor that you feel tired all the time. It may be a side effect of certain drugs he has prescribed. Together with your doctor you can discuss whether the dose should be adjusted or whether you should try other drugs. Moreover, you could try the liquid Green-lipped mussel with Bio-Curcumin and Blackcurrant leaf. This is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that cannot be the cause of fatigue.

7) Keep it quiet

Don’t let a full agenda dictate your life. This allows you to get more free time to enjoy things you get energy from. Become an expert in saying ‘no’ to anyone who wants to claim your time. This becomes easier when you are honest to family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues about your fatigue. Usually you get understanding and support, which also gives energy.

8) Follow your doctors’ advice

The inflammations associated with rheumatoid arthritis are real energy absorbers. Chemicals are released that give you the same distressed feeling as with a cold or flu. Always follow the advice of your doctor. Take the prescribed medication exactly on time to inhibit inflammation in the joints. When there is none or insufficient result, discuss this with your doctor. You can then look for another more effective treatment.

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