Your joints play an essential role in your ability to move and carry out everyday tasks. Healthy joints are less prone to pain and inflammation, so you can keep things going in your normal routine. It’s important to take purposeful steps to promote and support your joints. These practices can help you maintain joint health and enjoy the ability to move freely.
Table of Contents
1. Keep Your Body Moving
An object in motion tends to stay in motion. This isn’t just an important law for physics, but for physical health too. When you stay mobile and move your muscles, bones, and joints on a regular basis, you help keep them strong and supple. Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle can work against you in this department. If you spend much of your day sitting, make an effort to move more every hour, even if you just take a quick five-minute stroll around the office.
2. Try Joint Health Supplements
Your body needs proper nutrition to maintain the cells and structures in your joints. These days, many Americans struggle to eat enough of the foods they need to maintain optimum joint health. Take joint health supplements on a daily basis to help support a healthy diet while giving these essential structures a nutrient boost.
3. Exercise the Right Way
Getting in a good workout several days a week is the key to a healthy lifestyle. However, when you want to prioritize your joint health, you should choose your exercise routine with care. Even though they offer numerous health benefits, high-impact workouts can be hard on your joints and lead to damage and pain over time. Instead, opt for low-impact alternatives, such as:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Rowing
- Elliptical Training
Strength training is also important, but too much can wreak havoc on your joints. Start low and slow, progress gradually, and consult a fitness instructor to help you develop the right technique and routine for your needs.
4. Eat a Joint-Healthy Diet
Any food that causes inflammation in the body can have a negative impact on your joints, leading to stiffness and swelling. To prevent this, avoid inflammatory foods. While this list can vary for some people, in general, you want to avoid options that are high in fat, high in sugar, high in sodium, or just highly processed. Dairy can be an issue for some people as well.
When it comes to a joint-healthy diet, balance is the key. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables (especially those rich in vitamin C) and choose whole grains and complex carbohydrates over simple ones. Enjoy lean sources of protein and healthy fats as well. The nutrients from these types of foods help keep your joints functioning well and feeling their best.
5. Drop the Extra Weight
Weight gain is a serious issue in today’s society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many Americans are overweight, with approximately 40% in the obese range. Carrying around those extra pounds puts unnecessary pressure on your joints and can wear them out more easily over time. Take steps to safely lose excess weight. Even a decrease of just five to ten pounds can make a big difference.
6. Invest in Supportive Shoes
While joint issues can happen anywhere on the body, some of the most common sites are the knees, hips, and ankles. Wearing the right pair of shoes can lead to a significant improvement in this area. Look for options that provide plenty of structure and support while keeping you comfortable, especially if you’re on your feet most of the time. While it may be an investment, it’s one worth making when it comes to keeping your joints happy.
Joint health can affect many other areas of your wellness, so it’s important that you take steps to maintain it on a daily basis. Healthy habits and smart choices can go a long way in giving your joints the support they need to stay strong.
