Everyone knows that wearing stilettos and exercising excessively can be bad for joints. Did you know that there are so many other activities that can leave your joints in a bad shape, and you may be guilty of doing some of them?
Check out the following habits that can wreak havoc to your joints or aggravate an existing joint problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Ditching them may help save you from ending up with swollen, painful and stiff joints that can keep you from performing a number of physical tasks with ease and comfort.
Leading a Sedentary Lifestyle
Sitting or lying down for long periods of time is bad for your joints. That’s because the circulation of blood to the joints decreases when you stay inactive, which means your joints are not supplied with the oxygen and nutrients they need in order to stay in a great shape. Being physically active can help keep joint issues at bay.
Cigarette Smoking
There are certain chemicals in cigarette smoke that can harm the blood cells and damage the blood vessels. Due to this, your joints may not be properly supplied with oxygen- and nutrient-carrying blood. What’s more, experts say that cigarette smoking may decrease the efficacy of certain drugs for rheumatoid arthritis.
Being Stressed All the Time
Inflammation can leave your joints achy and swelling, and stress is something that can spark inflammation in you. This is the reason why it’s very important to look for effective stress-management methods if you want to keep your joints healthy and pain-free. Doing yoga, getting a massage, listening to music and painting are all good stress-busters.
Carrying a Heavy Purse or Backpack
It’s true that having your various essentials with you no matter where you go is a good thing. However, lugging around a heavy bag is not friendly to your joints. Eventually, your neck and shoulder joints will suffer. Your back may hurt as well. If your purse or backpack is making you feel uncomfortable, then it’s too heavy.
Performing Repetitive Activities
Don’t think that weight-bearing joints are the only ones susceptible to ending up painful and inflamed. Even the small joints in your hands and wrists can be wrecked by certain bad habits, such as endlessly sending text messages on your smart phone. Chopping food, playing video games and others that require you to carry out the same movements over and over again can be bad for the joints in your hands, with some of them also ruining your shoulder and elbow joints.
Skipping Foods Rich in Calcium and Vitamin D
Both calcium and vitamin D are essential for strong and healthy bones and joints. This is the reason why it’s bad for your joints if you continually refuse to eat foods that are rich in them. Examples of calcium-rich foods are yogurt, milk, cheese, sardines, soybeans and dark leafy greens. Mushrooms, oily fish, egg yolks and beef liver are all rich in vitamin D.
Gaining Excess Pounds
Being overweight is particularly bad for your weight-bearing joints. They especially include the ankle, knee and hip joints, as well as the lower back. It’s no secret that obesity is something that is terrible for your overall health. Opting for a proper diet and exercising regularly can help eliminate or keep at bay those unwanted pounds.
Not Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Earlier, it is said that stress can wreak havoc to your joints. Since sleep deprivation is a form of stress, failure to get enough shut-eye can also leave you with joints that are swollen and painful. There are plenty of all-natural insomnia remedies on the internet. Because certain medical conditions can keep you from having a good night’s sleep, go see your doctor.
