Keeping your joints healthy is very important. The healthier your joints are, the less pain they will cause you. In addition to this, healthy joints tend to have a good range of movement. This allows you to potentially carry on living independently.
So how can you keep your joints healthy? Here’s how:
Stay A Healthy Weight
A very easy way for you to keep your joints healthy is by staying a healthy weight. Those who are overweight are likely to be putting pressure on their joints. In fact, every excess pound of weight adds around 4 pounds of extra pressure on your joints.
Stay a healthy weight so that your joints are less likely to succumb to damage. If you’re not sure how to maintain a healthy weight, ask your doctor. They could give you some information about healthy eating and exercising.
Move Every Day
One of the very best things that you can do is to move every day. Your doctor, sports medicine specialist and any health professional will tell you the same. Your joints are there to be moved.
Ideally, you should enjoy low impact exercises as they can help to keep your joints healthy. These exercises include:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Stretching
- Strength training
All of the above exercises can help you to lose weight. Just make sure that you start off by exercising slowly if you’re not used to exercising. When you do, you’ll be a lot less likely to hurt yourself.
Stay Strong
When your muscles are strong they will help to provide your joints with support. Strong muscles can also provide your joints with stability.
Consider adding some strength training exercises to your routine. Some of the best areas for you to train are your chest muscles, back, and abdomen. These areas of your body are known as your “core”. Having a strong core means you’re less likely to lose your balance.
Some of the best weight bearing exercises include running and walking.
You don’t have to spend hour upon hour at the gym. Rather, you can find a type of exercise that you love doing. When you do, you’re much more likely to stick to the routine and benefit from it.
Stand Correctly
Did you know that when you stand correctly you are helping to support your joints? In addition to this, you help to reduce the risk of being injured. Always make sure you know how you’re standing when you’re performing repetitive motions. When you stand correctly, you put a lot less strain on your muscles and joints.
Be careful when you’re lifting something heavy. Too many people lift heavy objects without thinking about their posture. This is a real mistake. Bending your back can cause it to become injured. Instead, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Doing this will help you to avoid injury.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Another really important factor is maintaining a healthy diet. We’ve already looked at maintaining a healthy weight. However, your diet can also have a huge impact on the health of your joints.
Eat food that contains calcium and vitamin D. You should also make sure that you have enough omega 3s in your diet. Eating foods that contain these nutrients can help to reduce inflammation and build strong muscles.
You can still enjoy some of your favorite foods. Just be sure to eat everything in moderation. A healthy diet not only means you could be slimmer, you could also be healthier. You may find that you have more energy and you sleep better. Sleeping better can help your joints to feel less sore.
Stay Safe When Exercising
When you’re exercising, be sure to stay safe. Wear a helmet, protect your knees and elbows. These are things you need to consider if you’re indulging in contact sports. If you play golf or tennis, you could consider wearing an elbow brace, for example, if your joints ache.
Stay Flexible
Did you know that the more flexible you are, the less likely you are to have joint issues? If your joints are quite stiff, you could have a few issues. Work on your range of motion and get help from a physical therapist or your doctor if you need to.
You should be aware that working on your flexibility can take time. As soon as you’re flexible you’ll need to keep up with your exercises. You can become stiff again if you fail to exercise. Develop an exercise routine that’s easy to follow and one that you enjoy.
It is possible for you to keep your joints as healthy as possible. Do what you can to make sure your joints receive the nutrients they need. Protect your joints by maintaining a low weight, and protecting them when you exercise.