12 RA Matters Life Hacks

Find ways to integrate a few of these life hacks into your daily routines.

The following hacks are designed to be information solutions to real problems of living with RA. These insights have been informed by our editorial board members Cheryl Koehn and Neil Betteridge, whom you can read more about here.

Life hack #1: Cook multiple batches of meals, which you can freeze, to reduce the number of days that you need to prepare food.

Benefit

Reduce the strain on your hands that results from cooking a new meal every day.

Life hack #2: Use heating pads on painful areas to soothe stiff joints and tired muscles. Remember, do not apply heat to an inflamed joint.¹

Benefit

Reduce joint pain and stiffness.¹

Life hack #3: Add a keyring or piece of string to your zipper for a larger surface area to grip onto.

Benefit

Make it easier for yourself to grip and hold objects.

Life hack #4: Keep gel packs in your freezer to use on inflamed joints to reduce swelling.¹

Benefit

Decreased pain and swelling.¹

Life hack #5: Replace the mouse on your computer with a vertical mouse.²

Benefit

Reduce the strain on your hands that results from working on your computer.

Life hack #6: Use a high stool in kitchen to sit on when preparing meals.

Benefit

Take the pressure off of your joints while cooking.

Life hack #7: Take time to stretch and move around regularly – it stops you stiffening up.

Benefit

Keeping active has multiple benefits for your joints.

Life hack #8: If you feel self-conscious about your swollen joints at the gym, try wearing weight-lifting gloves.

Benefit

Find a physical activity that works for you and your RA.

Life hack #9: Explore car-sharing options for your commute to work to ease the pressure of driving.

Benefit

Reduce straining your hands during your daily commute.

Life hack #10: Delegate your chores (if you can). Enlist family members to take over the things that are difficult and painful for you to do.

Benefit

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones.

Life hack #11: Use a scale from one to ten or a series of faces, ranging from happy to anguished, to communicate to your children how you are feeling that day.

Benefit

Find new ways to communicate your feelings to your family.

Life hack #12: Request a workplace assessment to ensure your desk and chair are set up ergonomically or ask to see an occupational health specialist.

Benefit

Ensure you have a suitable working environment tailored for you.

References