By Joslyn Thompson of ONE Personal Training www.onepersonaltraining.com
1. Keep moving! Regular exercise will ensure that your joints stay mobile and healthy. 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week is a good start.
2. Good joint health starts from within. Ensure that you are eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to get your supply of vitamins and minerals.
3. Top up your dose of vitamins and minerals with a reliable supplement to boost your system. Sometimes diet alone is not sufficient to optimise our health and well being.
4. Lose any excess weight you are carrying. Excess weight can put undue stress on your joints causing pain, and discomfort, limiting your ability to move with ease.
5. Ensure that your work station is ergonomically set up to support your posture throughout the day. Hours spent at a desk not set up for you will place a strain on your joints.
6. Exercise correct posture when bending and lifting whether it be housework, gardening, or shopping. Bend from the knees when picking items up, not from the back. Incorrect bending places overload on the lower back in particular.
7. Practice simple ways to keep the joints mobile, like taking the stairs instead of the lift, or getting off a stop earlier and walking to your destination.
8. Keep your joints supple by having a daily stretch. Try an energising stretch in the morning to wake you up, or a relaxing one in the evening to wind down.
9. Try to evenly distribute any weight you are carrying. Replace a shoulder bag with a rucksack, or alternate shoulders regularly.
10. Wear appropriate footwear for your chosen activity. Incorrect support in footwear can alter your posture, placing a strain on the joints