Wondering How to Get Through Winter?

Our JA patients and caregivers have got you covered!

Heat:

“Heat everything!”

“Heat packs are your best friend and heated blankets are a MUST. Nothing like full body warmth and pain relief”

Microwavable heat packs
- Heating buddies like bears
- Slippers
Bedding
- Heated mattress pads
- Electric blankets
Bathing
- Hot baths with Epsom salt Warm towels after a shower
- “Warm morning baths which means earlier wake ups!”
Mornings
- “Keep the heated throw close by for help waking up in the morning and get moving”
- “A mom who warms up your clothes first thing in the morning”
Hands and feet
- Hand warmers
- Thick, soft and warm socks.
- Paraffin wax

Mental Health:

“Make sure to keep up with your mental health especially in the colder months when you aren't getting out and seeing friends as much.”

“When she was younger, I used tattoo pens to write "today will be a better day" on her. I'd also write strong, fierce, and brave on her arms with pretty designs around them. It helped give her the strength to get through tough days.”
See your therapist a little more often and take advantage of virtual appointments.

Physical Activities:

“We live in northern Minnesota, and we do cross country skiing. It's easy on the joints, we dress warm and get some good vitamin D each week.”
“Find indoor activities like crafting or painting that will help keep your hands moving.”
Layer up and keep moving outside
We just started a water aerobics class with my 14-year-old a few nights a week followed by a soak in the hot tub at the fitness center

Pain Relief:

Nutrition:

School Support:

Heat patch stickers under clothing
“We sent a microwaveable heat pack to school. Some teachers who had microwaves would allow her to use them so she didn’t have to leave class.”
Extra time to get moving in the morning
Hot hand packs for coat pockets at recess.