By Katherine Curcuruto, 2017
Occupational Therapist and Arthritis Queensland Volunteer
Try having a warm shower first thing in the morning to ease stiffness, soothe sore joints and to help you relax. If possible, create a sleeping environment that is warm: keep socks and/or gloves handy to place over feet and hands to help quickly warm up joints, minimise cool drafts coming into the room and try placing a warm heat pack over stiff joints.
Gentle exercises first thing in the morning can be helpful in loosening up stiff muscles and joints. Setting aside a few minutes for gentle movement before getting out of bed can help ease pain and discomfort.
Try creating a morning routine that helps you ease into your activities for the day. Remember the 3 P's
Having morning stiffness can make completing certain tasks more difficult. Be flexible with how and/or when you may complete a task.
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Morning stiffness can be frustrating! Take a couple of minutes before getting out of bed to try some quick relaxation techniques to help reduce tension and stress. For example, you may try deep breathing exercises, quiet meditation or even listening to music. We all have different preferences, so find a relaxation technique that works best for you.
If you find that morning stiffness is an ongoing issue for you, consult with your occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist about specific strategies, exercises and equipment that may be useful for you!
Information provided on this website is of an educational nature and should not be relied on as medical advice. You should consult with your health care professional about the appropriateness of this information for your particular case.