Staying positive can help you manage your arthritis better.

When you have arthritis, a variety of checkups and tests become a routine part of your life. Whether it's your rheumatologist appointment, a regular blood draw or your periodic bone density scan, you're probably more than used to people checking in with you about the state of your health. While it's not a lot of fun, you probably understand all this scrutiny is for your benefit. But you may be missing one very important checkup, and it's one you can do yourself: How's your attitude? Admittedly, it might sound a little new age, but having a positive attitude can make a serious difference in your arthritis pain and the effectiveness of your treatment.

Studies have shown that improving your outlook could be just as effective as painkillers for some people who suffer arthritis pain. A study funded by Arthritis Research UK and conducted at the University of Manchester suggested meditation, therapy and counseling could be life changing for arthritis sufferers, according to Express. These techniques may change the way the brain processes pain. If you're not already a practitioner of mindfulness methods - which can include meditation, guided imagery and more - you may wish to integrate them into your life for better health.

Staying positive

A positive attitude, which is not a series of techniques but is nonetheless a measurable attribute, is another very important component of coping with arthritis. Having a chronic illness can bring a lot of stress into your life beyond just the pain associated with it. Treatment (and its costs) could wear on you, as may worries about the future progression of your condition. If you do not cultivate a positive outlook, it could be difficult to get through this.

This doesn't mean you need to view the world through rose-colored glasses, of course - and it doesn't even mean you need to be a cheerful person. You should aim for realistic optimism, which means choosing to focus on the positive and believing in your own resilience in any situation. This can be an amazing strategy for people who have a chronic illness, and cultivating it can mean a real change in your mood. Try these two strategies to begin to improve your attitude:

• Remember what you are grateful for. Keeping track of the things you experience throughout the day that give you a feeling of gratitude, even if it's just a nice flower you saw or a satisfying meal you had, can really boost your mood. It can also help you focus on what you do have in your life instead of what you don't.
• Seek support. One key to feeling positive and staying able to confront life's challenges is to have a network of people you can depend on. This can mean friends, family members and mental and physical health professionals, for starters. It can also include people in your faith community or in support groups you attend - and even people you connect with online here at Arthritis Connect.

For more on coping with arthritis:

Tips for Coping with Chronic Pain
Helping Someone Cope with Arthritis
Coping with Chronic Illness in Marriage