12 Tips for Taking Arthritis in Stride

1. Regulate your walk

Every night, immediately after dinner, take a 20-minute stroll. Don't let the weather stop you—that's what jackets, boots and umbrellas are for.

2. Develop a habit

Never sit while talking on the phone. Instead, use your cordless and pace back and forth. You'd be surprised how much movement you can do when you are concentrating on a conversation rather than the exertion.

3. Make it social

Plan events around walking. For example, meet friends at the public gardens for a stroll, instead of for lunch or coffee.

4. Take a commercial break

When watching television, always get up and move during commercials. During a single one-hour show, you can get in more than 10 minutes of activity!

5. Step up to it

Take the stairs, take the stairs, take the stairs. You've heard it a million times, but if it is three flights or less, you have no excuse to take an elevator. If your arthritis pain is truly prohibitive, take one flight of stairs instead.

6. Make it interesting

For an evening's diversion, do some outdoor window-shopping. Strolling down a street of shops is great for people-watching, talking and feeling alive.

7. Split your lunch

Divide your lunch hour in two: 30 minutes of eating, 30 minutes of walking. No one needs to eat for one hour. Invite your lunch partner along for the stroll.

8. Escape the mundane

Find a park or a wilderness area near you and commit to a nature walk a few times a week. Nothing lifts your soul as much as a some nature.

9. Go postal

Locate the outdoor mailbox closest to your home, and get in the habit of walking to it to send off your bills or letters. Maybe it'll get you to write more letters.

10. Book yourself

If you have little children in your life—be they yours, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or even neighbours —commit to the following per year: a trip to the ball game, circus, zoo, aquarium and kids' museum. Buy the tickets in advance, and workout in advance so you're primed for a full day of fun.

11. Feel the rhythm

Somewhere, somehow, find a way to dance. Don't wait for a date or a wedding. Turn on the stereo and dance at home. Join a square-dance group or take ballroom lessons.

12. Make it second nature to walk

Come up with a personal "instant walk" trigger. For example, anytime you become drowsy, take a five-minute walk. Or, anytime you want a snack, get angry, bored, melancholy or stressed. Walking isn't just an antidote for arthritis pain, it is a wonderful way to work out mental and emotional issues as well.