Stress with RA! What do you do to shake it off?
Stress is a killer, everyone knows that but for people like us with RA, stress is even worse. It can trigger our illnesses and make an already bad situation even worse! Then we even get stress worrying about stress! Talk about a double whammy. So I'm here to ask what is THE thing. YOUR thing. The thing that lets you turn off the world and release the stress. For me, it's Futurama. I can watch the episodes again and again when my world feels like it's kerploding all around me. What's yours? Music? Movies? Sex? Eating 50000 marshmallows and then singing "You are my sunshine?" Whatever it is let's hear it, the weirder the better.
When I get super stressed, I will either pick a spot in my house to clean OR I will veg out while streaming a movie or series. Cleaning helps me use up some physical energy and helps me feel like I accomplished something. Streaming helps me escape to a new, temporary reality.
Wendy, I think we are the same person! Cleaning is a great workout, but if I do too much which is often the case when I'm in the zone, then I feel it the next day. Watching a good movie or series is part of my self-care. Anything good you're watching right now? Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it. -Effie, team member 
I definitely take the cleaning route. It feels like I'm not only cleaning my home but also my mind. I tend to feel much calmer and at peace after cleaning my house and it helps me relax much better. Then I rest by streaming a good movie! It's the perfect combo! -Latoya (Team Member)
we definitely need to make sure we don’t overdo the cleaning. Sometimes it is hard to know that line each time since it shifts.
I’m currently watching a few series. Shogun on Hulu. The Regime on MAX. And Sweet Tooth on Netflix. All are quite interesting.Very true. I also feel when we are feeling good, it's more motivating to get things done when we may not have been feeling up to it. Thanks for sharing the series- I haven't seen any of these and will be sure to check them out! -Effie, team member
I’m fortunate to live in the desert SW with a pool in the backyard. So for 8-9 months of the year (even though I am newly Dx) I swim. Swimming is my happy place. Good days I can do 30-40 laps, bad days maybe 10-15. But being in the water helps mind and body.
I have been told many times that swimming is supposed to be one of the best exercises for people with rheumatoid arthritis and other orthopedic issues. It's supposedly low impact and allows for motion without a lot of strain on the joints! So happy you are able to do that! Unfortunately I don't have a pool accessible that's not like 30 mins away, so it's a pain for me but maybe one day! Thanks for sharing! Keep on keepin' on, DPM I wish I could swim! Thirty to forty laps sounds amazing! Water can indeed have a calming and rejuvenating effect, providing not only physical exercise but also mental and emotional refreshment. I just moved to Texas from Wisconsin and I'm looking forward for the hot days just to be in the water! Thanks for sharing with us! Kindly, Latoya (Team Member)
Thanks Daniel, it is a joy for me. And it does help physically but also mentally. 
Hi
. For my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), aqua therapy is a real game changer. She notices everything gets better when she can get to the pool on a regular basis. When she was recently doing therapy at a local hospital pool they did some strength and motion measurements before and then after just 10 sessions the repeated measurements were significantly improved. Do you notice a difference when you cannot get in the pool? Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
