Arthritis affects millions of people, in varying degrees of severity. But anyone afflicted with the condition will likely agree that learning to live with it takes a lot of time, patience and lifestyle adjustments.

Arthritis is actually fairly misunderstood, and the term is broadly applied to joint pain, inflammation, and disease. Many people have heard of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, causing the immune system to attack healthy cells in your body by mistake, and causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body. But there are actually more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions and they range from uncomfortable to debilitating.

One common consequence of arthritis is that people living with it find they have trouble sleeping as a result of the pain. Often pain seems like it intensifies at night — for several reasons. One is that it may be that your mind perceives it differently once all is dark and quiet. Another is that the hormone that helps control inflammation (cortisol), is lower at night. You may also notice that you stiffen up at night, because inflammatory chemicals pool in the fluid that cushions the joints. And the extra difficult thing is that poor sleep can kick off a cycle of exhaustion, making it harder for the body to heal.

That’s why it is so important to ensure you are getting enough sleep at night. And if you are living with arthritis, falling asleep faster and staying asleep are essential in feeling well. Here are some things to consider.

Invest in the Right Mattress

Joint pain and aches can be relieved (at least partially) with the right kind of mattress. It’s important to find the mattress that offers the right kind of firmness for your body, especially if you are living with arthritis.

You may even want to invest in an adjustable mattress. And if that’s not available to you right now, a mattress topper can also do wonders. For advice for mattresses in Surrey, come and see us at our showroom.

Create Good Habits

Sleep health doesn’t come easy for everyone, but everyone can make lifestyle adjustments that contribute to better rest. Watch things like caffeine and alcohol intake, as well as how much screen time and when.

Things like diet, exercise, and mental health all contribute to (or detract from) getting a good rest at night. If you find that falling asleep is challenging, look for small ways to make it easier — wind down a little early, practice mindfulness, make sure your room is dark and quiet (or get a white noise machine). Whatever it takes!

Practice Pain Prevention

Creating a pain management and prevention plan with your doctor is essential for getting a good night’s sleep. Whether this includes medication, an exercise and diet protocol, or other practices that will benefit you will be catered to your specific situation.

But it’s important to get on top of the condition and get the pain under control as soon as possible. That way, it will be easier to fall asleep faster at night, and to wake up rested and feeling less sore in the mornings.

And don’t hesitate to come to our mattress store in Surrey. We would love to help you find the right mattress to ease your aches and pains.