Jul 12, 2018

Reclaim: Five Tips for Battling Arthritis Burnout

Phone calls, doctors’ appointments, prescription refills, bills, insurance paperwork – it can be overwhelming and exhausting for arthritis patients. Fighting this disease can feel like an uphill and never-ending battle, and it will take its toll on those who suffer from it. Chronically ill patients can quickly become burned out trying to manage their illness, and when they start feeling the burnout they are less likely to take care of themselves. As with any chronic disease, it is essential that those with arthritis make staying healthy a priority, so follow these five tips for battling arthritis burnout.

Stay positive.

Keep yourself surrounded in positive thoughts and vibes. Keep self-talk constructive, as discouraging words will only contribute to burnout. Surround yourself with positive people who have optimistic views on life.

Handle the essentials.

Ensure you are sleeping well, eating healthy and staying active to keep up your mental and emotional health. Have fun with these essentials by finding fresh, creative recipes or researching new and exciting classes at the gym. However, let yourself have a break from time to time as well. Cheat on your healthy diet with an indulgent brownie or skip a workout once in a while.

Take a break from all things arthritis.

It’s important to have friends who understand your disease and even attend a support group meeting now and then. However, it’s just as important to spend time with people whose lives don’t revolve around arthritis. Mental breaks with people or activities that take your mind off of arthritis are crucial to surviving burnout.

Be resourceful.

While it’s important to take breaks from everything arthritis related, it’s also important to manage everything that comes along with it in a timely manner. Being efficient saves time and eases the stress that accompanies the disease. Schedule back-to-back appointments, run important errands at the same time, and dedicate a certain day of the month to making calls and paying bills. Use online systems for handling invoices and take advantage of patient portals for scheduling appointments. Utilize mail-in order prescriptions, and be sure to ask for help if needed.

Don’t forget about your hobbies.

Whether it’s working in the garden, spending time at the beach, or doing charity work, don’t let your favorite pastimes go by the wayside because of arthritis. The hobbies that you love are what make you happy and make you who you are. Giving them up because you are fatigued or have too much to do will only contribute to burnout.

Set aside some time for fun.

Binge on Netflix, go to a family BBQ, or check out that new comedy with some friends. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it and schedule it into your day to boost your mood and help you battle against burnout.

If you feel like you may be suffering from arthritis burnout, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Carolina Arthritis today. Don’t let burnout hold you back from living your best life possible. For more monthly tips on reclaiming your life with arthritis, keep following Carolina Arthritis!