Self Your top tips for living with arthritis istock.com / shapecharge Its over to you! We asked readers for their best suggestions for making life easier for both now and when life gets back to normal Exercise If my back is starting to feel a bit stiff, I find the best thing I can do is go for a walk. I take long strides to really stretch everything out around my lower back and hips. Its better for me than any medication. Cat I try to go swimming at least three or four times a week, its the only time I feel like I used to. Its wonderful to be able to stretch out in the water. Debbie I do some gentle stretches while having a hot shower. Then I apply lashings of Deep Heat. While Im getting ready for work, I have the radio on and have a little dance to shake off the stiffness. Nicola My life was transformed when I bought a jar opener. It looks a bit like a plastic bottle opener, but its brilliant at opening jars, and only needs minimal pressure to break the vacuum on the lid. Carolyn About three years ago, I discovered memory foam insoles and have never looked back. If you make sure the inner sole is removable in all new shoes, these can be replaced regularly with memory foam, now very cheap to buy. I use them in all my shoes, sandals and slippers. Mrs M I bought a bath step, which has been a great help getting in and out of the bath/shower. I could just about manage before, But having it makes me realise how much easier I can make life if I give in and buy things to help me Ive been too proud until recently. Its anti-slip and stackable to increase the height, and broad so I feel very safe. Amy If, like me, you find a bath towel too heavy to handle after a bath, why not use a dry face flannel to absorb most of the water and then finish off with a smaller towel? It makes such a difference and no heavy wet towels in the laundry, either. Mrs R istock.com / plprod I find the best thing I can do is go for a walk... its better for me than any medication Around the house For days when a bath or shower is too much, try wet wipes. There are various types make-up ones for face, baby wipes for delicate areas and antibacterial hand wipes. Angie I buy easy-to-wear clothes. I still get to wear jeans, just lightweight and pull-on ones. My tops are all easy pull-ons the secret is no buttons. My footwear is all pull-on and I use a long-handled shoe horn a great invention! Christine Leisure Holding my Kindle was becoming a challenge, but my grandchildren bought me a Kindle Techbed made by Muscava and Edge Beanbags. It holds e-readers and paper books perfectly, and adjusts to any surface. It means I can read in bed, place it on the arm of my chair, or on my worktop to read a recipe from my iPad. Mary If, like me, youre usually the passenger in a car, then decide on your sitting still time limit and plan stops for some stretches and a walk. I have also devised an in-car workout to do every hour all movements should be small and discreet so as not to distract or irritate the driver. Nora My potting shed not only has a bench for standing where I can rest my arms, but also has a small folding table (for my potting tray) and a lower, folding chair, so I can sit down for longer jobs. Angie My biggest tip for gardening when you have arthritis is to invest in good tools, such as a dandelion plucker with extended handles. I also have a number of different height decks I can sit on to access built-in flower beds and pots. Judith Sleep I have osteoarthritis of the knees, which can be painful. To help, I put a small, soft pillow between my knees in bed. Some lavender oil on the temples helps me sleep, too you can buy it in a roller ball dispenser from places such as Neals Yard. Gilly Get out and about every day. I can wake up in pain and discomfort every few hours, but after a day in the Peak District with friends, I can sleep up to four hours. It really helps to get out every day. Simon Warm wheat bags draped over sore joints really help me get comfortable in bed. I find them better than hot water bottles. I also find it helpful to have my medication and painkillers on my bedside table when I wake up, so I can take them straight away. Claire My footwear is all pull-on and I use a long-handled shoe horn a great invention!