As the leaves turn, so does the weather signaling a new season. However, some notice the turning of the season not with the leaves, but rather with a return of joint pain caused by cold weather.  Individuals may consider their joint pain a sign of age and try to “deal with it” until warmer weather comes to the rescue.  Yet, there are many new insights into joint pain which reveal how to better enjoy the winter season pain free.

Diet is not always the “cure all,” but it certainly can help with weather-related joint pain.  Managing your weight in any season will help to ease joint pain.  Extra pounds added from a hefty Thanksgiving meal or holiday cookies will put more pressure and stress on your joints.  If you’re planning on enjoying treats this holiday, consider taking a brisk walk to ensure the calories don’t go to your waistline.

If possible, reduce or eliminate the use of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. These substances are known to dry out cartilage, which can lead to joint pain and stiffness.  By maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle year-round, you will build the self control needed to turn down unhealthy foods, thus keeping extra stress off your joints.

Along with a healthy diet, another way to keep cold weather joint pain away is to take after baseball players.  Before a pitcher gets up to the plate, he keeps his pitching arm warm to ensure his muscles and joints don’t tense up.  Whenever you go outdoors or are even sitting in a drafty house, make sure to cover up.  Keeping your joints warm keeps the pain from occurring.

Joints tend to get cold with prolonged inactivity.  The best way to keep warm is to move!  Activity around the house or shopping with a friend helps to keep your joints loose and warm.  Suggested activities for joint suffers are swimming and stretching since both help to loosen joints without putting unnecessary stress on them.  If you plan to get moving, avoid activities that could potentially hurt the joints such as climbing stairs or jogging.  Instead, try a low impact yoga stretch or a water aerobics class to invigorate your joints and muscles.

With the winter season here, don’t let joint pain prevent you from going out and having fun.  Instead, heed the tips above and enjoy this time of year!