4. Mindfulness and positive thinking
To reduce stress and promote calmness, which can help you manage your pain, give this one a go! Some people find it useful to meditate and repeat a positive mantra every day. There's lots of online support to get you going or you can ask your GP or nurse for some tips.
5. Keep connected
It's important to stay in contact with your friends, family and community. Some days, this can feel difficult when you’re in pain and perhaps you’re not feeling sociable. But feeling connected to other people can boost your emotional health and wellbeing.
6. Lastly, speak up
One of the hardest things can be asking for help. But if you're having more down days than ok days, it's really important to speak to someone. There’s lots of help available so please talk to your GP or nurse.
More information and support can be found from dedicated patient organisations. You can find contact details for these on the Inflammatory Arthritis Patient Organisation page.