Prepping for Winter With PsA

Winter is coming, and I already know it's going to hurt. The changing seasons can hurt a lot when you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Having lived in New England my entire life, I'm no stranger to harsh winters. As the foliage falls away and we get closer to the solstice, I'm already getting ready for whatever lies ahead: snow, sleet, joint pain, and all the joys that come with PsA.

'Tis the season of respiratory illness

Winter brings spikes of flu, colds, and respiratory illnesses, thanks to everyone being indoors and in close quarters. Unfortunately, those of us who use biologics are at higher risk of getting sick.

This year, I've planned ahead and stocked up on things to prevent and treat illness. I bought cleaning supplies when they were on sale, especially spray disinfectant for items like backpacks. I also made sure I had some of my preferred cold remedies in the house.

While I know many people don't like masks, I've started wearing them again during the rush hour commute on the train. I needed peace of mind after standing shoulder to shoulder with people coughing and sniffling.

Prioritizing comfort and warmth

Everyone is different regarding temperature regulation, but I'm very sensitive to the cold. I get cold quickly, and it makes my joints stiff and painful. I have a variety of warmers at my disposal, from electric heating pads and water bottles to those little hand warmers.

So far this year, I'm living in my fleece-lined sweatpants. Usually, I'm a jeans girl, but lately, I needed something that was not too tight on my joints and extra warm. I'm so grateful that sweatpants are now made to look more like nice pants!

I also love faux tights, which are fleece-lined leggings with nylon over them. I pair them with sweater dresses for a formal but cozy look.

A good pair of shoes

Along with needing warm clothes, you also need good shoes. I have snow boots, but I'm not a massive fan of them.

Instead, I have combat boots that I wear because they have excellent traction and are incredibly comfortable. It's so important to balance comfort with safety if you live somewhere where it's icy! I've slipped on black ice so many times and accidentally triggered flares.

Indoor exercise

When the weather gets frigid, it's tempting to stay on the couch, bundled up in blankets. But it's so important to exercise your joints and keep them strong.

My husband and I are mall rats; 'mall walkers' is the more appropriate term, but it makes me feel old. We like to go at less crowded times, like in the evening after dinner or in the morning. While it's less enjoyable than the mall, I also go to the gym more in the winter than I do during other seasons to compensate for not going out as much.

I also keep some exercise equipment at home, but I could be better about using it. Most recently, I got a yoga ball to help build some muscles in my hips and core and work on my posture; it's been helpful and easy enough so far.

Staying ready in the winter

Of course, that's not all I do to prep for winter; there's also moisturizing, making sure the snow blower is in working order, and getting boosters when needed.

But New England winters and PsA are unpredictable, and no two seasons are alike. I do my best to be flexible and adjust as needed.

Do you find winter aggravates your PsA? What kinds of things do you do to deal with the changing seasons?