It's funny, when you're stressed and people tell you to relax, the inital reaction is to be more stressed.
Having RA makes it extra tricky, since additional stress can/will impact you physically.
Running around to meetings and carrying my water bottle and laptop up and down flights of stairs at work, can cause a minor flare. Sometimes, you forget and just grab at something. It's only when the pain starts, the mobility is less, that you are aware....a FLARE.
I've been given steroids in the past and granted they work. However, I don't want to be on them as I don't want to be on any meds if I can avoid it.
Last week was especially tough. By the end of Friday my ankles were swollen and sore and my left hand, stiff in a claw-like grip. I really, really wanted to go to Zumba, despite the pain. My husband said, "you are really beat up, REST."
I took his advice, grabbed the ice pack and elevated my ankle. I went into the bedroom, put on my ocean sounds and just meditated.
The next morning, the hand was still a claw, but I went to aqua class. I really listened to what the instructor said, listened to the music and in my head "OMed" as I went through the class.
I made sure to take time this weekend, to really relax and listen to my body.
It doesn't matter if you suffer from an autoimmune condition or not. We should all take time out from our busy schedules and really get in touch with ourselves.
Just say OM :-)