Tips to help relieve symptoms of RA in your foot
- Wear open-toed shoes: These prevent your toes and feet from being too cramped or uncomfortable.
- Keep warm: Keep your joints warm with thick, comfortable socks or shoes to reduce stiffness.
- Take a hot bath or hop in the jacuzzi: Warm water can help loosen up stiffness in your joints in addition to resting your feet while you’re lying down in the tub.
- Don’t exercise when you have a flare-up: This can put extra pressure and strain on your joints, which can make symptoms much harder to bear.
- Try an anti-inflammatory diet: A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3s from fish may help reduce inflammation that causes RA symptoms.
- Sleep regularly: Getting enough rest, about 6 to 8 hours per night, allows your body time to relax and heal itself, which can help relieve RA symptoms.
- Avoid stress: Stress can trigger inflammation that results in flare-ups. Try meditating, listening to music, taking a nap, or anything that helps you feel less anxious.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, talk with your doctor about a plan to quit. Smoking can increase RA symptom severity and may trigger the onset of RA.