Boost your energy this winter

Don’t let dark, cold days bring you down. Try these tips to put a little more pep in your step.

Make your bed with intention. Making your bed first thing in the morning wakes you up physically and can set yourself up for a positive day!
Pace yourself. Whenever you’re on the phone, try pacing back and forth, around your house or up and down the steps.
Grab a snack. Choose a healthy mix of carbs, protein and fat like an apple with some almond butter, carrots with hummus or trail mix.
Laugh a little (or a lot!). Laughter increases your heart rate, which moves more oxygenated blood through your system.
Say ohm. Yoga gets your body moving and includes breathing and stretching techniques that can boost energy and brain power.
Step into the light. Just 30 minutes of natural light can help get you through the afternoon slump.
Get a good night’s sleep. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day (even on weekends!).

Everyone’s fingers turn a little red when they’re chilly. They may even feel a bit numb. But for people with Raynaud’s, a disorder of the blood vessels, the numbness and color changes can be severe, even painful. Winter can be especially tough. Here are some suggestions for staying warm:

Consider your outerwear. Be prepared for changes in weather and dress in layers and include a hat, gloves and warm boots.
Keep your body warm, not just your hands. Rapidly shifting temperatures, cool breezes and damp, cold conditions can trigger an attack.
Quit smoking. Cigarettes cause the blood vessels to constrict, which can bring on a Raynaud’s attack.
Avoid caffeine, which can shrink blood vessels and trigger an attack.
Learn to manage stress, as anxiety can induce Raynaud’s. Use relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing and meditation to reduce tension.
Warm up your car before you get inside and use the steering wheel warmer if you have one.
Speak to your doctor about avoiding or minimizing medications that cause blood vessels to narrow, including decongestants, amphetamines, migraine and attention deficit disorder medications.

At this year’s American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, HSS presented a number of important studies focused on reproductive health for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other rheumatic diseases, including issues related to fertility, sexual function, use of contraception and HPV vaccination. Highlights from the meeting include:

Association of Menstrual Cycles and Disease Flare Activity in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this study, researchers surveyed female rheumatology patients to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects the timing of disease flares. More than 300 patients responded to the survey, and the analysis reported at the meeting included data from 122 respondents with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — 49 with SLE and 73 with RA.

Overall, 39% reported an association between their menstrual cycle and disease flares, with similar rates in both the SLE and RA groups. Those who experienced these flares usually had them within the week before or during their periods. The investigators say these findings could inform physician counseling and that closer monitoring of patients during vulnerable phases of the menstrual cycle could enable more timely intervention and better disease control. Additional research is planned to assess whether demographics, lifestyle and medical conditions may influence this potential association.

Educational Intervention to Increase Contraception Screening and Documentation for Reproductive-Aged Women Seen in an Academic Rheumatology Clinic
Only one-third of reproductive-aged women with rheumatic disease are prescribed effective contraception, despite the widespread use of teratogenic medications which can harm a fetus. This initiative aimed to increase the rate of provider screening and documentation of contraception use in the electronic health record for female rheumatology patients ages 18 to 45.

Interventions from the research team included educational presentations and motivating reminders for clinical staff. Over the 24-week study period, the rate of contraception documentation for these patients increased from 11% to 54%. Future phases of this initiative will focus on encouraging rheumatologists to provide contraceptive counseling and referrals to women’s health providers for patients taking teratogenic medications.

To learn more, view our clinical trials at HSS. For questions, please email Emily Wu, Clinical Research Coordinator or call 212.774.2967. For APS studies, please email JoAnn Vega, Research Coordinator or call (212) 774-2795. To learn more about our Pregnancy in APS study, please email Haley Slosberg, Clinical Research Coordinator or call 212.774.2223.

The Lupus and APS Center of Excellence at HSS is a multidisciplinary and innovative program, established by expert faculty with the goal of improving the lives of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). For more information please visit us online.

Fast Track Appointment Referral Service - If you are a lupus patient new to HSS in need of a timely appointment with one of our center’s physicians, please call us at 877.SLE.CURE (877.753.2873). For non-urgent requests or questions please email us.
View our HSS Lupus Patient Support Programs