Your SpA Tool Kit: Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

During the 8th Annual Global Spondyloarthritis Summit, we asked attendees to share what supports your mental well-being, such as stress management or coping strategies. Here’s some of what you shared:

• Simply writing a list of my concerns makes things feel more manageable some days.😗
• Talking to friends and family about my condition and what I am feeling has helped me. I also participate in support groups. They help me feel part of a community that really understands what I am going through. I don’t feel alone in my AS journey.
• Stepping Outside in the Fresh Air

When I’ve felt cooped up due to pain etc, sometimes just the simple act of stepping outside in my yard, looking at the sky, listening to the sounds and taking a deep breath gives me just the boost I need 🙂

• Take a Swim!

This isn’t my pool, but I enjoy treading water to stretch my muscles! The cool water hitting my neck is relaxing.

• Get angry

Once in a while it is OK to be angry about the situation. It’s not a good idea to stay in that angry place, but just venting, once in a while, can feel really good. It is not all perfect in my world – my medicines don’t work that well, my PT helps but isn’t curing this, and life can be hard. Don’t stay angry but allow yourself to be angry. And then get back to living, and appreciate everything that is good.

• I am free!

I have to remind myself often that I can only do what I can do during any given  day.  Once I remember this, then I don’t have the guilt of either missing an event or not being able to finish my to-do list.  It’s so freeing!

To gain more insights from the community, listen to expert presentations, and more, register for and access the Global Spondyloarthritis Summit here.