If you live with joint pain, it’s important to participate in physical activity to manage your symptoms and enhance your quality of life. However, not all exercises are safe for people with arthritis because they can make this pain worse. Instead, you’ll want to choose low-impact, joint-friendly exercises. This way, you can reap the benefits of exercise while protecting your joints. 

Now that it’s summer, there are a variety of low-impact exercises you can do while catching some fresh air and immune-boosting Vitamin D. Below are three activities we recommend adding to your joint pain management regimen.

1. Swimming

Any type of water-based activity is safe for people with joint pain. Swimming laps, stretching or walking through a pool offers fast relief for stiff, painful joints. The water also supports your body’s weight so you feel lighter and more flexible. 

Most sports doctors recommend starting a regular water exercise program to see longer term results. By swimming multiple times a week, you can reduce joint stiffness, strengthen the muscles around your joints and enhance flexibility. During the summer, it’s easier to find a wider range of swim facilities and classes, so check out what’s available in your area!

2. Light Gardening

Gardening offers numerous advantages to your mental and physical health. This summer activity can be safely done when you have joint pain, especially if you choose a vertical garden or raised beds. Not only do you get to practice your green thumb, but also you can lower depression and anxiety that can make your joint pain worse. 

To make gardening comfortable, you’ll want to use tools that are easy on the joints. Examples include spring-loaded pruners, soaker hoses, shovel steps and tools with “O” grips. To make your garden most valuable, grow anti-inflammatory foods like berries, spinach and kale. When working in your garden, soak up the sun and fresh air for your mental health.

3. Outdoor Yoga

The benefit to doing yoga outdoors is that you get to awaken your senses and feel at peace in the world. In the summer, there are yoga classes held all over the place – along beaches, in parks, on hills, in green spaces, etc. Choose the places that bring you a sense of peace and unity with nature. 

Like swimming, yoga is most effective for joint pain when it’s practiced regularly. Daily stretches improve joint flexibility, reduce tension, lower stress and decrease pain. Plus, you get dual benefits from being outdoors in nature, further improving your symptoms.

Keep Active, Even after Summer 

If you live with joint pain, these three exercises are an excellent way to stay physically active while reducing pain and inflammation. You can continue most of these activities in the winter, but nothing beats the summer sunshine. For joint pain that persists, contact Jersey Rehab. We have a number of ways to treat joint pain and boost quality of life. Schedule an appointment at any of our four locations.