About Arthritis Treatments Healthy Living Juvenile Arthritis Professionals Science Get Involved DONATE Your Local Area Sign In Back Arthritis Self-Management: What You Need to Know Follow these eight self-management habits to help you take control of your arthritis. A diagnosis of arthritis can be overwhelming. You’re dealing with a lot of new information. You may feel worried about the future. And you’re getting used to talking with different health care providers who help you manage your disease. A chronic illness can be a lot to handle but rest assured, you can do it. You’ll play a big role in getting your disease under control and staying as healthy as possible. The term is called self-management. Self-management is about making healthy lifestyle choices and learning to manage the physical and emotional effects of arthritis. It may feel a little like you’re going back to school but take it one step at a time. You’ll need to learn all you can about your disease and build a strong partnership your doctors. These self-management habits can help you successfully manage your disease: Management Tips 1. Be Organized 2. Manage Pain 3. Address the Emotional Side 4. Tackle Fatigue 5. Improve Sleep 6. Get Moving 7. Balance Activity With Rest 8. Eat a Balanced Diet It may seem like a lot to do but you’re not alone. The Arthritis Foundation wants to be your self-management partner as you manage your disease. Join our Live Yes! Arthritis Network today to make connections and get information and resources to help you live well. Quick Links Managing Pain Treatment Nutrition Exercise Emotional Well-being Daily Living About Arthritis View all About Arthritis About Arthritis What You Need to Know About RA and Lung Disease Learn more about how respiratory problems are one of the most serious and common complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Read More About Arthritis 10 Things to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis Here are 10 things you need to know about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Read More About Arthritis 11 Things to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis Learn more about what it means to have Psoriatic Arthritis. Read More Give & Get Your Best Your gift does amazing things for the Live Yes! Arthritis Network. Help yourself and help others. Donate Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes. Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others. First Name* Last Name* Email Address* Zip Code* Phone Number Do you have arthritis? Yes Get Involved Live Yes! Arthritis Community Live Yes! Connect Group Live Yes! Online Community Local Office Events Webinars Blog Store About About Us Annual Report Careers Code Of Ethics Financials Privacy Notice Terms of Use Espanol Join Us Jingle Bell Run Let's Get a Grip on Arthritis JA Camps Walk to Cure Arthritis Home Office 1355 Peachtree St NE Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30309 Helpline: 1.800.283.7800 Contact Us Atlanta, GA 57° Arthritis Index BENEFICIAL See More Details Arthritis Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) EIN 58-1341679 I Want to Contribute I Need Help Donate Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Volunteer Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available. Live Yes! INSIGHTS Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis. Partner Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission. Donate Ways to Give Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing. Make a Donation Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now! Become a Member Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more. Make a Honor or Memorial Gift Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift. Gift Planning I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles. Other Ways to Give Match Gift Donate a Car Donor-Advised Funds