Happy Summer to everyone!  I sure hope your weather is better than ours here in the Pacific Northwest.  So far, it has been mostly cold and rainy and we are even getting snow in the mountains.  It doesn't feel like summer.  But at least we are not getting the floods like in the midwest.  My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes, businesses, and farms.   

Summer is time for vacations and going outdoors; however, if you suffer from arthritis, it's not always easy.  Here are a few tips for managing arthritis in the summer.

1.  Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.  Take a bottle of water wherever you go.  This may help prevent fatigue, dizziness and reduce pain.

2.  If you are taking a long car trip, stop often to rest and stretch.  Take a short walk if you have time.

3.  Hiking is very enjoyable, but be sure to choose trails that are not too steep or have a lot of difficult obstacles.  Use a walking stick for support.

4.  When gardening, use an old wagon to carry tools and heavy bags of mulch or potting soil.  Use a gardening chair to sit on instead of kneeling.

5.  Swimming is an excellent exercise for people with arthritis.  Take caution when getting in and out of the pool.

6.  Don't forget to take your liquid glucosamine and chondroitin supplement  every day!  This will be especially helpful for joint pain if you are very active in the summer.

Have a great, safe and active summer.  I'm going to try out my new kayak as much as I can, even if I have to use it in the rain!

Do you have any great tips for living with arthritis in the summer?