New Year, New Mindset: Tips For Keeping It Positive With Psoriatic Arthritis

Stress. It is one of the most common triggers for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis flares. My patients often tell me that the winter season and expectations of the holidays tend to be the most difficult time of the year.

Starting a new year with the exhaustion of the holidays and the expectation of a clean slate can be overwhelming. Making new year’s resolutions can feel daunting while coping with a chronic illness.

How can we change our mindset when we live with PsA?

I recently read a wonderful book called “The 7 Thoughts to Live Your Life By,” written by I.C. Robledo. I believe that mindfulness concepts are highly applicable to anyone living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Here are a few tips adapted from Robledo’s book to help maintain a positive mindset in the new year.

Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t control

We try to control so much in life, like our schedules and health. In actuality, there is very little that we have control over in this world.

While worrying about something, I often ask myself, “do I have control over this?” If I can do my part in helping with the outcome, then I do it. If I don’t have control over what happens, I try my best to release my worries.

Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have with PsA

A diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis carries a lot of grief over the person you used to be. Thinking about what you do have despite all the things you have lost can be helpful.

“I never thought I’d be someone who takes so many medications just to live without pain, but at least we have effective treatments for psoriatic arthritis nowadays as opposed to no treatment options in the past.”

Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do

After the initial diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, it can feel like you will never return to your normal self again. Often, patients find their “new normal” and still discover ways to participate in the hobbies and activities they love.

One patient who was newly diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis shared that “I can’t do gardening all day like I used to love to do, but I can still garden in short spurts and find new hobbies that I enjoy doing.”

Focus on the positives, not the negatives

An example is, “I’m not living completely pain-free, but over time I am having fewer and fewer flares of joint pain as my treatments kick in.

I always wanted to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle, and now my arthritis is compelling me to do that instead of waiting.”

Focus on the present, not the past or future

Many patients have shared this fear with me: “I’m worried about what my joints will be like in 20 to 30 years and whether I’ll be functional.

However, they have also told me, “I am going to try my best to live today the best way I can, even with my arthritis.”

Focus on what you need, not what you want

An example is, “what I really want or wish is for my psoriatic arthritis to go away completely and not have to take medications to feel better.

- "I need to reach remission so I can live an active lifestyle, work as long as I want to, and be there for my family.”