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I think keeping as active and positive as possible is very important. It’s what life is about, after all, isn’t it? Learning shortcuts helps you to keep active. I use the microwave rather than cooking from scratch. I take showers not baths and, if my mood is low, I’ll use my best, most expensive shower gel.
Pampering
I love to pamper myself, for me it’s really powerful. Just putting on lipstick or painting my nails makes a huge difference. I am single minded in looking after myself. It’s selfish behaviour of course, but I have arthritis, I have to do things for me.
Bad days
On a bad day, I sometimes just want to retreat to my bed and shut the world out. I think it’s important to accept that some days that’s just what you need to do. Deep breathing helps to reduce the pain. It’s like being in labour – they teach you to breathe to help you get through it.
But I try to see those bad days as an opportunity to do things you like but don’t require any physical exertion – like watching TV programmes I’ve recorded, or phoning friends. I deliberately store things up for those days.
Every day is different. It’s like the weather – and everyone has a raincoat in their wardrobe.
Being active
In my view there’s too much sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. You don’t need pots of cash to feel better. Just opening the front door and seeing what’s going on outside can make a real difference and life your spirits.
I love the great outdoors, so I’ll take walks and go on days out to the coast and have a nice pub lunch. I save up my small change and then look out for a special offer and take a holiday. If you don’t use it you lose it.
Arthritis slows me down, but it doesn’t stop me.
Annie Leslie is from Glasgow. She’s in her 60s and has had osteoarthritis since she was a child.
