In today’s world of convenience and comfort, a large number of urban professionals are ignoring the damage caused by a sedentary lifestyle even though the risks are many.

From sleep disorders to lack of focus, and from obesity to even serious diseases like cancer, a sedentary lifestyle poses many short-term and long-term challenges and risks. That said, if you are suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), then you have all the more reason to change your habits as physical inactivity tends to only aggravate the condition.

Sedentary Lifestyle- The Enemy of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is painful- there are no two ways to it. In fact, a simple act of walking from one spot to another can trigger pain in the legs as joint-inflammation and joint-swelling are some of the main symptoms of RA. So, it’s only natural that a person suffering from the condition would want to avoid walking and exercising as much as possible. However, the problem with this approach is that the short-term benefit doesn’t outweigh the long-term damage.

Living a sedentary lifestyle for a prolonged period can foster a number of physical and mental conditions. For instance, the lack of exercise can result in obesity which can increase the pain in weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees. Similarly, less active individuals are more likely to experience depression which can have grave consequences of its own.

An Ideal Solution

Health experts believe that physical activity when engaged in moderation, is the key to healthier management of arthritis. The following are some of the most effective tips in that regard:

· Yoga is one of the best therapies to practice when you are suffering from RA. It’s good for the mind, good for the body. Plus, there are many simple yoga poses that you can perform even with RA.

· If you have a dog, it can be an ideal partner to help with your physical activities- you can play with it, or go for a walk with it.

· Some other low-impact physical exercises that you can do for RA include swimming, running or a treadmill, etc.

Lastly, you must not forget that your diet also plays a big role in how arthritis affects you. So, be sure to add berries such as cranberry, blueberry, etc. to your diet as these are rich in antioxidants which provide relief for inflammation. Fatty fishes like salmon that are rich in omega-3 acids can also reduce inflammatory proteins. So, it’s also a good idea to consume seafood as frequently as possible.

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