Doing daily tasks such as brushing your teeth and going grocery shopping seem to be a simple to do to most people, but these tasks can bring a real challenge on the joints for anyone dealing with arthritis. With this in mind, the Arthritis Foundation lists 5 tips you can do to help relieve some stress and arthritic pain when going shopping.
- Plan Ahead: Think about all of the errands you need to run for the day and make a list of where you need to go, starting with the most important place. Once you have made your list and have a clear route, this will help you feel at ease and feel less stressed.
- Make Lists: When going shopping, create a list of the items you need to get. This list will help you stay organized and prevent less pain on the joints that can easily result from aimlessly walking down aisles that you do not need anything from.
- Consider Packaging: Some stores provide groceries in bulk, but take the size and weight into consideration before choosing. Although shopping in bulk may seem like the more efficient idea, the extra weight that you might not necessarily need from the bulk items can put pressure on your joints, making it harder to complete a shopping trip or running the rest of your errands. Instead, try and consider buying smaller packaging on the items you definitely don’t need in bulk.
- Go Green: Most stores provide plastic bags that can really hurt your joints if positioned the wrong way or are too heavy. The next time you go shopping, bring your own reusable bag instead! Reusable bags are designed with longer handles that can be easier on your joints.
- Order Online: We live in a digital world, meaning that with a click of a few buttons you can have your groceries picked out for you and ready to go. Some stores offer a delivery service so you won’t ever have to leave your house, and others offer a “pick up” service. When available, utilize these features and leave the lifting to those working in the store.
Source: http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/five-ways-make-shopping-easier
