Navigating Winter with Rheumatoid Arthritis

I remember when falling snow brought feelings of wonder and glee. Growing up in the Northeastern US snow and ice were a joy to me as a child. I spent endless hours skating, building snowpeople, sledding and building forts to host icy tea parties and epic snowball fights. Now snow and ice are something I dread. Instead of hoping for a snow day, I spend winter promising myself that someday I will be able to leave in winter, instead of suffering through. There is no doubt about it, the blanket of snow that my younger self adored now brings with it the worst of my RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) symptoms.

Navigating winter with RA, or any of the other 100+ types of arthritis, is rough. Symptom flares, nasty weather, icy conditions, all increase the challenge of day to day tasks. Over the years, I’ve found a few things that help me keep moving when the world freezes over.

The first and probably most obvious is staying warm. If you have any type of arthritis you know what it feels like when you get too cold. With RA that bone chilled stiffness and pain can invade my entire body. I’ve developed a deep love of cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, and all things snuggley and warm. Finger-less gloves help keep my hands toasty, whether I’m inside or out. A pair of light compression gloves like my favorites from Grace and Able, are perfect for a little extra warmth when inside. When I do get chilled, I use heated blankets, heating pads, and anything else that will warm me up to chase the cold (and pain) away.

My second big winter challenge is ice. Every winter 1 million Americans are injured in a winter slip/fall accident. In fact, most of the slip and fall injuries occur at this time of year. With an artificial hip and a few mobility challenges, I have learned to be extra careful in icy conditions so that I remain upright! From choosing footwear with good tread to strapping on ice cleats and using a walking stick with an ice tip, the strategies I use vary depending on the amount of ice I’m going to need to navigate. One of my consistent strategies no matter how much ice, walk like a penguin. No, I’m not kidding, those tuxedo-ed flightless birds certainly have perfected the art of the slow and steady waddle. It might take longer to get where I am going, but the time saved healing broken bones is well worth it.

Another challenge winter brings is an increase in the spread of cold and flu. Because my immune system is knocked down to keep my disease managed, I have to be extra careful to avoid germs this time of year. Making sure to wash my hands, excusing myself when someone in the group appears to be unwell, and making sure I am well nourished all help support my health this time of year. Choosing to wear a mask in situations where I wont be able to keep my distance also helps protect me. Making sure I am eating well and taking vitamins, including vitamin D, helps me fend off the germs I couldn’t avoid. Eating well also helps reduce my inflammation and keeps me moving.

Staying mobile is another challenge that becomes more of a struggle when winter settles in. Snow and ice limit my options for taking a walk, my favorite intentional exercise. Gardening is also not possible under a layer of ice. Though I’ve never been a big fan of indoor exercise routines, they are a necessary part of my winter survival plan. Making sure I stay active and strong supports my joints and keeps me mobile. Building movement and stretch breaks into my daily routine helps ensure that this less active time of year doesn’t set me back.

While there are certainly plenty of challenges to consider, there are a few things winter is actually great for. Leaning into the slower pace of life, it is a great time for rest and recovery. Starting each day with some journaling and diving into a self help program of some sort are part of my personal winter routine. Filling my days with good books, learning new things, and crafting also helps me pass the time without going stir crazy. Taking time to plan summer getaways and sketching out a plan for the coming growing season also prevents the cabin fever from settling in and keeps me looking forward to warmer days.

With a little extra self-care, a bit of caution, and all the warm things you can get your chilly little paws on, winter doesn’t have to be the season of endless suffering. You might even find some pretty great days, between storms of course. They’ve yet to make a cure for those weather related symptoms every arthritis sufferer lives with. Until they do, I’ll be spending these stormy days snuggled up with my electric blanket and a big steamy cup of chai green tea, plotting my escape to warmer destinations.

What gets you through winter with rheumatoid arthritis?