People with a passion for gardening and have arthritis at the same time might think that their gardening days are over.
Arthritis is a lifelong disease. It never goes away. That does not mean life needs to be stopped. It can be managed. It can be well managed. By following some carefully curated advice, gardening can become a joyful and blissful event for people with arthritis.
Here are 10 gardening tips for people with arthritis:
10
Tasks
Take a break every 20-30 minutes, or switch to another task to use different joints or muscles.
Once
Minimize kneeling, bending, crouching, or reaching overhead. Work at waist level, opting for hanging baskets or elevated planters.
Once
Ask for help, or space out those tasks over several days if you must bend or crouch.
Once
Wear a pocketed apron, this can help keep small tools in reach.
Once
Use lightweight garden tools with large or curved handles.
Once
Try pipe insulation, foam, or racket tape to make your existing tools easier to grasp.
Once
Avoid heavy lifting. Use a small mesh basket, a lightly loaded wheelbarrow, or a rolling cart to move the debris.
Once
Avoid heavy leather gloves. Look for a padded lightweight cotton glove. A good pair of gloves help support and protect the joints.
Once
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Working outdoors can cause dehydration.
Once
Make sure to put on sunscreen before spending a lot of time outside. Sun protection is important for everyone, but particularly for those on certain arthritis medications. A wide-brimmed hat is also helpful.