Shopping

Shopping can be very tiresome for most people, but for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it can be even more so. Driving around, looking for parking, running around the stores, fighting the crowds, and lifting all of the objects that you have to buy can utilize a tremendous amount of energy, leaving you tired and possibly unable to engage in the rest of your day. The following are some tips that can help you to protect your joints and conserve energy while shopping so that you do not use the energy needed for the rest of the day.

1) AVOID SHOPPING DURING A STORE’S BUSIEST TIMES!! For example, do not grocery shop on Saturday and Sunday mornings! Fighting crowds will utilize a lot of energy, which may be needed for another task later that day. Also, when stores are less crowded, one will be more likely to find a sales clerk who is willing to help out. Always seek help from store employees when you need to lift something heavy, retrieve something from a high shelf, or find something in a large store.

2) Find stores or malls that you like and shop in these stores as much as possible. By doing this, you will become familiar with the layout of the store, and will therefore use less energy trying to find what you need.

3) Organize a list according to the layout of the store before you go shopping so that you can shop in an energy efficient manner.

4) Bring someone along, or ask for help when lifting heavy items from high shelves. This prevents needless strain on the shoulders and the back.

5) Take many short shopping trips that do not cause fatigue, rather than one or two long ones which do. Plan shopping trips so that heavy items can be bought on different days.

6) When carrying a purse around, wear it over the shoulders instead of carrying it in the hands. This helps to protect the joints of the hands.

7) Take breaks while shopping if fatigue sets in. Sit down in the food court, by dressing rooms, or on benches until the fatigue subsides.

8) If it is necessary to lift a heavy item while shopping or at any time, use the following technique:

Stand with the feet shoulder width apart, bend the knees, keep the back straight, and hold the object close to the body. Lift the object by straightening the knees, instead of bending the back.

Turning should be accomplished by moving the feet, not twisting the back.

** This lift procedure should be used when lifting any object in any situation, not just while shopping.

 

9) Delegate shopping tasks among family members if possible.

10) Wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles when shopping (or when going anywhere that requires a lot of walking). These shoes help to absorb the shock placed on the feet from walking and therefore protects the joints.

11) Plan adequately for shopping, do not rush!

12) When returning home with groceries, store all of the items bought in the place that they will first be used.

13) Combine, eliminate, and simplify all shopping tasks as much as possible!!

14) Shopping has become very easy to do over the phone and through the Internet. Take advantage of this as much as possible, and save your energy for other things!!!!!!!!!

15) Use assistive devices to help you shop!