Skip to main content

Staying healthy with rheumatoid arthritis.

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flares, relieve symptoms, and lead to a better quality of life. Follow these tips to help manage your RA:

  • Take breaks. Rest helps reduce inflammation and fatigue that can come with a flare.
  • Stay active. Exercise can help the muscles around your joints stay strong and flexible, reduce stiffness and keep your joints moving. It’s also great for your mood and self-esteem. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about how you can stay active.
  • Take care of your joints. Avoid tasks that hurt your joints. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to protect your joints.
  • Lower your stress. Stress can worsen your RA symptoms. Try taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music or practicing deep breathing exercises to help reduce stress.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Eating healthy is smart for everyone, including patients with RA. Following a healthy diet can also mean better weight control and less stress on your joints.

Coping with RA.

Living with RA can be challenging. You may feel frustrated, sad, angry or depressed as you manage the effects of RA day to day. Follow these tips to help you cope with living with RA:

  • Do what you enjoy. You can still participate in your favorite activities. It just means you may move at a different pace.
  • Stay connected. Your friends and family may want to help but don’t know how. Talk openly with them about ways they can support and encourage you.
  • Join a support group. Join an in-person or online support group. Talking to others living with RA may help you cope with treatment and everyday challenges.

Talk to your health care team. Your rheumatologist, CVS Specialty CareTeam and other providers can show you new or better ways of managing your RA. Managing your RA includes coping with depression. Talk honestly with your health care team. They can give you advice and resources to help you manage or overcome depression.

Visit these websites to find support groups and discover other ways to get involved in the RA community:

Talk to your doctor about managing this condition or call CVS Specialty at 1-800-237-2767 if you have questions. A pharmacist or nurse specially trained in caring for patients with RA is ready to help.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. CVS Specialty assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result, nor is it responsible for the reliability of the content.

CVS Specialty does not operate all the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by CVS Specialty.

Your privacy is important to us. Our employees are trained regarding the appropriate way to handle your private health information.