When a person does not feel well, especially with chronic illnesses such as RA or any other autoimmune problems, they certainly do not feel like exercising. Sometimes we must work through our physical problems, and cure ourselves of these conditions just so we can get back into the mainstream of life. These issues must be resolved before we can help ourselves to an exercise maintenance program. Physical conditions can cause depression. Doctors love to prescribe for depression, and they never seem to admit that pain and chronic debilitation can cause just that. Getting rid of the physical pain and debilitations can instantly improve a person's outlook in life. The cure for depression can be the cure for physical pain and suffering, as it is all together. Activity is the cure for depression, but one must also have excellent nutrition, too. Depression can signal the need for more nutrients. It is no wonder people that only eat junk foods also suffer from chronic depression.
The best exercise for me has been walking daily, sometimes without my dogs, or sometimes with them. Any kind of exercise that gets fresh air into the lungs is a benefit. Another benefit of being well is the fact I can go outside and do the gardening which I love to do. That is also how I get my interest in photography, because I just have to take pictures of the lovely flowers my efforts produce in the garden.
As a child, I was very active. We had no computers back then, and the TV was not allowed to be on very much by my mother. If I was sick with a cold, or something, then I was allowed to watch TV, but not if I was well. If that was the case, then my mother sent me outside to be with my friends to play. I was a well tanned child, and could run fast. We climbed trees, and we used the slides and swings constantly. Now people follow the doctor's advice to cover up with hats and long-sleeves, and slather themselves with sunblock creams. How can a child enjoy the outdoors in a get-up like this? Plus, they do not get their vitamin D from the sun, so therefore are pale and sickly. We spent hours outside, and during hot weather we all jumped into our swimming pools, or ran through a sprinkler. We were always in our bathing suits during the summers. We had slip 'n' slides, and the whole works. Our family would go out to the lake and enjoy the summer week-ends there, swimming, eating hotdogs & hamburgers off the barbecue, and running with our dogs. The best thing about that was the friendships we shared. The most interesting fact about those hours in the sun is we never sunburned. It seemed a natural thing to do if our skin began feeling hot, we either went to sit in the shade, or we jumped in the water. I believe that prevented any kind of sunburn. I got a little sunburn once in my life, and I was an adult, and we were up in the mountains at quite some altitude, and that is an easy place to get sunburned. That may be a good place to either have a hat, or use a little sunblock, if needed, but common sense outweighs the need for that in the first place, and that is find some shade.
Over the years I have experienced multiple prescription drug reactions. One drug damaged my liver when I was a teenager. For someone who never drank alcoholic beverages, this was a terrible thing to happen. I healed from that, more or less, and over the years, had other reactions that was no accident. Anymore, I refuse to accept prescription drugs without thoroughly studying up on the reactions or side effects. Sometimes I know more than the doctor does, and the pharmacist will only follow the doctor's order, and not listen to symptoms of side effects. I trust neither anymore. A lot of drugs I have received ends up expiring in my cabinet, and I have relied entirely on homeopathy, or nutrition to relieve my symptoms. This has never failed me as the drugs have, and the medical community. "Trust no one," applies to our health.