RV Crafting for Osteoarthritis

RV Crafting for Osteoarthritis can offer relief and fun. Osteoarthritis can be a hard thing to manage on the road, but what if we told you that there are things for you to do inside your rig that could help keep your arthritis in check?

We know it may sound silly, but it’s time to break out the arts and crafts to help you overcome some of your pain and symptoms related to your arthritis. You can easily pick up these items at a local craft store to get started. If you have questions about different styles of crafting that we suggest, YouTube is also always a great resource to help you get going.

Without further ado, here are a few things you can work on inside your rig to help you minimize some of your osteoarthritis issues!

Knitting
According to a site called StitchLinks, knitting has been proven to help those with arthritis focus on other things instead of their pains and frustrations. Knitting can be done almost anywhere, too, which allows you to pick up your needles and some yarn before hitting the road.

LoveKnitting.com also has some helpful tips for those who get discouraged with knitting after a few tries. Knitting, although helpful to those with osteoarthritis, can also be difficult to get behind without knowing what utensils and actions are best for your hands.

Here are a few recommendations before you head out to the store and pick out your equipment:

• Choose needles that are made of birch or bamboo over the standard metal needles. They are lighter and still do the job!

• Knitting for short periods of time at a first will help you build up your overall stamina. Don’t begin your knitting journey by knitting for hours, focus on doing a little at time to avoid overuse.

• Use wool or wool-blended yarn for your knitting projects as they are easier to move around from needle to needle due to their elasticity.

Knitting is also a great hobby to pick up if you are looking to find a community of people on the road. There are hundreds of knitting groups across the country you can join. You can find a list of knitting groups on Meetup to bookmark as you travel across the country.

Related Read: RVing with Osteoarthritis Made Easier

Jewelry-Making
Just because you live in an RV doesn’t mean you have to give up living in style. Jewelry-making is a great hobby to take up if you are interested in creating items to sell or for your loved ones. Although some may think that it requires a lot of tools and equipment, simple jewelry can be made with just a few items like pliers, wire, and beads.

When you start making jewelry, it can become difficult to hold the pliers for extended periods of time, but never fret! There are several different types of ergonomic pliers out there that you can choose from.

Making jewelry not only allows you to create something beautiful, but it also brings back fine motor skills that you may have lost due to your arthritis. But just like with knitting, jewelry-making and beading should not be done for longer periods of time in the beginning.

Take it slow and you’ll find that over time your pain will be minimized and your stamina increased.

Painting & Coloring
Who said that arthritis has to stop you from making art? Painting and coloring are two forms of art that can help your mind relax and focus on other things, as well as give your fingers and wrists a little more mobility and dexterity, too.

Painting and coloring can be done just about anywhere. Stop by your local craft store and pick up a notepad or coloring book. Grab some crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint, too. You can find ergonomic paint brushes as most stores, as well, so be sure to ask someone at the store for help if you are unsure about the best brushes for someone with arthritis.

There are a few things you can do before you start creating to minimize your arthritis symptoms:

• Place gel pads under your wrists to give them a much-needed break when painting or coloring.

• Stretch your fingers and wrists before beginning any project.

• Only use ergonomic pencils, markers, or paint brushes to minimize any extra work for your aching hands.

Related Read: RV Friendly Crafts You can do this Weekend

Woodworking
Woodwork may seem like a big task to undertake in an RV, but small wood projects can easily be worked on inside a rig. Things like whittling or carving can be done by hand, which is actually better for those with arthritis than using power tools.

Many believe that woodworking not only helps with arthritis, but it also boosts the cognitive function of the humans behind it, too. You’ll find that woodwork not only helps you stay active and strong but also gives you a new sense of creativity and imagination, too.

For those who want to start a small woodworking project in their RV, consider a few things before heading for your local craft store:

• Avoid power tools as the vibrations can increase your pain and arthritis symptoms.

• Do your best not to pick out the heaviest of woods to work on. Lifting heavy objects is not recommended for those with arthritis.

• Focus on making something small first. Something like a spoon or figurine is your best bet to keeping up with your project instead of something that will take you weeks in the beginning.

• Never rush your carving or whittling. Your hand position can be the reason why you are in pain. Consider taking a break or putting your project away for a while before starting again.

Modify & Create
Most arts and crafts techniques can be modified to help you minimize your pain and maximize your creativity. There are several things that can be adjusted for almost any activity to help you better manage your arthritis and also minimize the need for extra tools and equipment.

For those who want a more fulfilling and creative lifestyle on the road, but suffer from osteoarthritis, there are several other crafting activities you can try here, too.

At the end of the day, crafting is a great way to learn new things, try out new ideas, and manage your pain. Why wouldn’t you give it a shot?