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Although recreating festive traditions in exactly the way we used to may feel like a way to reclaim our lives, it can perpetuate old and dysfunctional habits. Instead, try these tips for easier and happier holidays with rheumatoid arthritis in my new article for CreakyJoints Canada:

“Ahh, the holidays. I love everything about this season — the lights, the smell of pine, the food, the fact that everyone seems just a little bit more cheerful, and of course the love. This time of year is important to many different cultures and whatever the reason, celebrations are about bringing your family together to celebrate love, light in the winter darkness, and joy. The exuberance and — let’s face it —overindulgence is wonderful, but it’s also a lot of work.

Which is why those of us who share our lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other chronic illnesses that cause pain and fatigue may dread the coming festive season more than just a little. Regardless of our best intentions, being flattened by a flare during or right after the holidays tends to be just as much of a tradition as the candles and the gifts. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

My book Chronic Christmas: Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness is a collection of tips to get you through the holidays formatted like an Advent calendar with one idea per day. In this article, I’ll be sharing some of the themes and ideas from the book to help you revel in the season, whichever celebrations you embrace. These tips can be adapted to any festive event, be it Hanukkah, Diwali, the winter solstice or even the made-up holiday Festivus from the sitcom Seinfeld.

Even though I’ve been trying to follow these tips for years, I realized that the pandemic has made me appreciate and apply them in new ways. This advice isn’t just about how to “survive” the holidays with RA or chronic illness, but how to enjoy them more fully.”

Read my tips for easier and happier holidays with chronic illness on CreakyJoints Canada.