Winter Activity Workarounds For Hands That Hurt

Dealing with the pain and stiffness of hand arthritis can pose challenges for tasks requiring dexterity and a firm grip. Additionally, some individuals find that their arthritis symptoms worsen during cold and damp winter weather. Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist and senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, notes that the precise reasons for this exacerbation are not fully understood, attributing it to theories involving changes in barometric pressure, alterations in circulation, joint fluid thickening, and reduced exercise in colder conditions.

To navigate a bustling winter season filled with activities that heavily involve the hands, such as preparing festive meals or shoveling snow, strategic planning and self-pacing are essential. Utilizing appropriate tools and seeking assistance when necessary are crucial components of managing arthritis symptoms during winter. Here are specific recommendations for various common winter activities:

Holiday cooking

Cooking can be physically demanding for your hands, especially when engaging in activities like whisking, kneading, chopping, and lifting heavy pots and pans. To manage arthritis symptoms during cooking, consider the following strategies:

1. Plan:

• Break down recipes into steps, finding ways to minimize grasping or lifting requirements.
• For tasks like filling a large pot with water, place the pot on the stove first and then add water using a pitcher to avoid heavy lifting.

2. Pace Yourself:

• Spread cooking activities over several days to prevent overworking your hands.
• Make dishes in advance and freeze them, allowing you to focus on one special dish per day.

3. Use Tools:

• Explore adaptive kitchen tools with large handles, reducing stress on your hands.
• Choose bowls with suction cups to provide stability without requiring a strong grip.
• Utilize kitchen appliances, such as a food processor or electric can opener, for prep work.

4. Enlist Help:

• Seek assistance from family members to share cooking responsibilities.
• Consider catering part or all of the meal, or explore prepared options from grocery stores.

These strategies can help you enjoy cooking without putting excessive strain on your hands, making holiday preparations more manageable.

Shoveling snow

Shoveling heavy, wet snow can strain your heart due to its strenuous nature and be particularly painful for arthritic hands. To make snow removal more manageable for your hands and overall well-being, consider the following tips:

1. Plan:

• Warm up your body with light exercises, such as marching in place and moving your arms, to promote blood flow and flexibility, including your hands.
• Wear cold weather gear, including compression gloves beneath mittens, to keep your hands warm and enhance blood circulation.

2. Pace Yourself:

• Move slowly and steadily while shoveling, taking regular breaks to prevent muscle strain and joint inflammation.
• Stay hydrated with warm drinks, even in cold weather, to replenish fluids lost during exertion.

3. Use Tools:

• Invest in a snow blower or electric snow shovel, which can significantly reduce the physical strain of shoveling.
• While these tools can be pricey, they can be beneficial for easing the workload and protecting your hands.

4. Enlist Help:

• If possible, hire a snow removal company to handle the task.
• Consider reaching out to family members, neighbors, or teenagers in the community who may be willing to assist with snow removal.

By incorporating these strategies, you can minimize the impact on your hands and overall physical well-being while dealing with snow removal during the winter months.

Wrapping presents

Gift wrapping during the winter holidays can be challenging for individuals with hand arthritis. To make the process more manageable and less painful, consider the following strategies:

1. Plan:

• Purchase gifts well in advance to allow sufficient time for wrapping without feeling rushed.

2. Pace Yourself:

• Avoid overexertion by wrapping just one or two presents per day. This helps prevent repetitive movements from causing excessive strain.

3. Use Tools:

• Invest in helpful tools such as a large tape dispenser (approximately $5) and adaptive scissors (around $15) designed to be operated by squeezing a large loop instead of the traditional handle motions.
• Alternatively, opt for gift bags, which eliminate the need for intricate wrapping.

4. Enlist Help:

• Take advantage of gift-wrapping services offered at stores during your shopping trips, some of which may be included in the gift’s purchase price.
• If possible, seek assistance from a friend or family member to share the wrapping responsibilities.

By incorporating these tips, you can reduce the physical strain on your hands and fingers while still enjoying the process of giving beautifully wrapped gifts during the winter holidays.

Using walking or ski poles

Engaging in cold-weather activities like Nordic walking and cross-country skiing can be challenging for individuals with hand arthritis. Here are some strategies to make these activities more accessible:

1. Plan:

• Ensure you are holding the poles correctly, with snug glove-like straps to reduce strain on your hands.
• Watch instructional videos on platforms like YouTube to improve your technique.
• Warm up before the activity to enhance blood flow to your muscles and hands.

2. Pace Yourself:

• Take regular rest breaks and stay hydrated with water or hot tea to prevent overexertion.

3. Use Tools:

• Opt for poles with large, thick grips for easier handling.
• Wear heated, rechargeable mittens to keep your fingers together and maintain warmth, promoting joint flexibility.

4. Enlist Help:

• Consult with an occupational therapist for assistance in adapting poles to better suit arthritic hands.
• Occupational therapists can assess hand strength and provide tailored exercises to enhance strength and flexibility.

By incorporating these measures, you can enjoy Nordic walking and cross-country skiing with reduced discomfort and increased accessibility, allowing you to stay active during the colder months.