While it’s true there are a lot of ways to deal with joint pain, it really can’t be stressed enough that you should actually just do whatever you can to focus more on preventative care (as in, doing what you can to prevent joint pain). For the most part, joint pain doesn’t always crash into your life like a dramatic injury.
Believe it or not, but it actually, sneaks in, little by little, until you realize getting out of bed feels like you ran a marathon in your sleep. Sometimes, it’s not just bad luck or getting older that’s to blame. Actually, everyday habits you barely think about could be quietly turning your joints into their own worst enemy. But could these habits even be?
Sitting Still For Too Long
Just think about how much time you spend sitting. Comfy chair, couch, car seat, it doesn’t matter. Your joints weren’t designed to stay parked for hours on end. Ever noticed how your knees feel stiff after a long binge-watching session or a day at the office? That’s because sitting locks your joints in place, and they’re screaming for movement.
Well, breaking this habit isn’t about throwing your desk chair out the window. It’s about sneaking in motion. For example, you should walk around during calls. Stretch when you’re waiting for your coffee to brew. Even standing while scrolling on your phone can give your joints the change of scenery they need.
Living With “Lazy Posture”
You’ve probably heard that slouching is bad, but here’s the kicker; poor posture doesn’t just make you look like a tired question mark, this actually wrecks your joints. A lot of people, especially if you’re young, will complain about having aches while they’re just too young, and yeah, your posture can do that to you. Usually, your neck, shoulders, and lower back bear the brunt of it, especially if you spend hours leaning over a laptop or scrolling on your phone.
And yes, your joints will let you know when they’re not happy. That dull ache in your lower back after a day at your desk? Or the pinchy feeling in your shoulders when you’re texting? Well, that’s your body pleading to change posture.
Eating Like It Doesn’t Matter
You might not think about your joints when choosing between a greasy burger and a colorful salad, but yes, your joints do care about this. Now, certain foods are notorious for stoking inflammation, sugar, processed snacks, and fried everything are repeat offenders.
Instead of cutting out “bad” foods entirely, think about what you can add in. Sure, you’ve probably heard about this way too much, but omega-3-rich fish, nuts, spinach, and berries really can help with your joints!
Wearing Shoes That Betray You
Yes, it’s time to talk about shoes, but maybe not in a fun way. So, while you might own a super cute pair of shoes, you need to ask yourself whether they’re helping or hurting you. For example, high heels and flimsy flats can throw your body out of alignment faster than a bad chair. That’s why it can’t be stressed enough to invest in high-quality shoes (that are comfortable).
Now, with all of that said, the right shoes won’t just feel comfortable, they’ll support you. For example, you have to think about arch support, cushioning, and fit. Also, wearing the same pair every day can wear them down in all the wrong places, leaving your joints to pick up the slack. So it’s best to rotate shoes whenever you can.
Powering Through Pain
You know that “no pain, no gain” mantra? Well, if you haven’t already, then it’s time to go ahead and toss it! So, pain is not your body’s way of saying you’re working hard, it’s your body saying, “Stop before this gets worse.” A lot of people sadly make this mistake, and yeah, this isn’t a healthy mentality either. Actually, ignoring it can turn something manageable into a chronic problem (including joints).
If you’re feeling sore, don’t just push through it. Instead, you should just rest and reassess. Actually, it might even be a good idea while resting if you use some nerve pain relief cream since this can provide targeted comfort to those stubbornly achy joints. Sure, it won’t fix the root cause, but it will give you a break when your joints need one.
Sleeping in Weird Positions
That super cozy position where your arm is under your head and your legs are twisted like a pretzel? Yeah, it’s not doing your joints any favors. Actually, sleeping in awkward positions can put unnecessary pressure on certain joints, leaving you feeling stiff and sore in the morning. Even though it might take a while, you should try and train yourself to stop doing it.