Learning lessons from the good times

Even though experiencing “good times” with RA may seem out of reach, I have found that when those good times happen, it is crucial to embrace them, take the opportunity to make some changes, and develop some habits and memories. These memories could likely lead to more good times ahead.

Mentally storing the positive memories

When I am having a good hour, day, or week, I like to use that time of clarity to build on those positive times. I have found that I can bank those strategies for future use. For instance, when I am feeling good enough to swim, I try to keep it going as long as possible, banking on that memory of how great I feel physically and mentally while exercising. Having that memory available to me gives me hope when I am flaring. It gives me something to strive for when things get difficult.

While recently recovering from surgery, I used this strategy and I am certain it helped my recovery. It sure helped me cope with the long period of pain and immobility. I called upon my very keen memory of how it feels to swim, do Tai Chi or go for a nice, pain-free walk with my husband. I meditated on how good those activities felt and how wonderful it would be to do them again. Just the thought gave me comfort and support, easing my mind and soul. That, in turn, lowered my agitation, boosted my mood, and helped me rest and sleep more soundly.

Take advantage of the good days

I also like to take advantage of the good times to revisit my social interactions. So often in the “bad times” phase of RA, we find ourselves isolated for reasons ranging from pain to depression to anxiety about what a social situation might entail. When I feel good, no matter how short the time, I try to reach out and do something enjoyable with a friend or family member. Again, calling on those memories from the past and using the new ones created by this time to perhaps prevent or, at least, lessen those isolation times in the future.

How to handle the not-so-good times

When I am in the “bad times” phase of RA, I seem to lean towards comfort food as my fuel choice. Of course, that then leads to weight gain, self-image issues, and so on. So, when I am feeling good, I try to journal or commit to memory the better, healthier food choices I am making so that I can go back and recall those and maybe pull myself out of the comfort food zone and into the healthier one. I keep recipes handy that I can easily get my hands on. I shop for fresh produce and fruit, knowing this worked in the past.

The lessons we gather and call upon from those precious times when RA has retreated from our lives, for however brief a moment, need to be learned, memorized, and repeated as we make our RA journey. By assimilating them into our memories, we have them available to call upon for the future.

Nan