Some people with severe arthritis may choose not to go out because of pain and other physical restrictions.
Not only because of their physical reasons, but also because of their personal mentality. Some people may think that they cannot participate in an activity, but if they can foresee their problems and find solutions smoothly, they can actually go to the activity.
Good weather for picnics has already begun. May, June, July and August are the peak months for picnics-the best celebration is nothing more than outdoor barbecue or park hiking.
Are you ready? Let’s have a picnic
Does the idea of a picnic make you happy or frighten you?
Don’t worry, do some preparatory work, and you can definitely enjoy the picnic. Dr. Clove has listed 10 suggestions, which I hope will be helpful to you:
1. Locate yourself before the picnic date
First of all, make sure that the location you set is available. For example, does the place you go have picnic tables and grills? Is there a toilet? Observing the terrain in advance and getting ready can relieve your pressure.
2. Take a good rest the day before and the day after the picnic.
Don’t arrange other dates or make other plans these days. After outdoor activities and playing with family and friends, you will feel tired and may cause arthritis symptoms.
To be kind to yourself, you must first realize that you need some extra rest.
3. Bring painkillers about an hour before leaving your home on picnic day (if it works for you)
This will allow drugs to enter your body, thus helping you control your pain. When picnics, you should carry painkillers with you, and you also need to carry other drugs just in case.
4. Consider using mobile devices
Such as walking sticks, walkers, wheelchairs or motorcycles. If there are conditions for use, bring toilet heighteners. The toilets in some parks are further away than those in others.
Don’t be reluctant to use the auxiliary equipment because it makes you look or feel defective. You just need to do what you have to do and let yourself start and finish the picnic smoothly.
STEP 5 Let others do heavy physical work
Bring refrigerators, portable chairs and recreational supplies is not your task. If you don’t like to ask others for help, bite your teeth and say it. Protecting your joints can help you have a picnic smoothly.
6. Protect yourself from the sun
Protect yourself with sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and shade trees. Many arthritis patients are sensitive to sunlight, which is often related to the drugs they take.
Step 7 Keep Moisture
Make sure you have enough drinks to drink (preferably water) before, during and after the picnic.
8. Keep the dishes simple
Needless to say, food that has been prepared or is easy to barbecue is the most ideal. Bring some special desserts or entertained food to make you and others remember this picnic and look forward to another picnic.
9. If your arthritis is already severe
You may not be able to play badminton, softball or football, but you can still keep participating in the game by being a scorer or photographer.
If this is not possible, take a book you have always wanted to read, provided you don’t want to be just an onlooker.
10. If it’s been a long time since your last picnic, you may have to do some work to make yourself not afraid.
You can try picnics from the park near your home. Over time, you will gradually broaden the scope of activities and no longer limit yourself to places near your home.
In the last words
By foreseeing the occurrence of problems and being prepared, you can also enjoy an outing with your family and friends.
Don’t refuse invitations, let alone let arthritis build an invisible wall around you.