Easy & Fun Hobbies for Arthritic Hands

When you start to develop arthritis in the hands, it can make once-loved hobbies more difficult, but that doesn't mean you have to give them up. This post highlights five doable, low-strain activities that are mentally enriching, emotionally soothing, and easy on your joints.

What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is a disease that can cause inflammation or degeneration of your joints. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can take multiple forms, and can be caused by various conditions. They include:

• Osteoarthritis (most common): A condition characterized by wear-and-tear of the bones over time. The cartilage - a coating on the end of bones that enable joint movement - breaks down, leading to bone-on-bone friction. It most commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks the joint capsule (the membrane lining that encloses all the joint parts) and the joint becomes swollen. It most commonly affects wrists, hands, and fingers on both sides of the body.
• Psoriatic arthritis: A form of arthritis that affects the skin and joints, causing fingers to become swollen. It's comparable to rheumatoid arthritis in terms of affected areas, but it may only involve several fingers.
• Other types: Other types of common arthritis include fibromyalgia, gout, and lupus-related conditions.

Who is most commonly affected by arthritis?

Arthritis is extremely common. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 adults in the US (over 58 million people!!) experience some form of arthritis. It's most regularly present in people over 65, but it can also affect younger adults and even children in some cases.

Women are also more likely than men to develop arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. But it's not anything to be ashamed of. It's just important to be informed so that you know that things like obesity, personal injuries, or a family history with arthritis can increase your risk.

What limitations do people with arthritis typically face?

The effects of arthritis can lead to limitations in your daily life, but many of these issues can be managed or improved with the proper support. These increased difficulties can include:

• Pain and stiffness, especially in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
• Reduced range of motion and difficulty with fine motor tasks (e.g,. opening jars, buttoning shirts, tying shoelaces, writing)
• Fatigue and flare-ups (periods with worse symptoms) that come and go
• Emotional impact: Frustration, depression, or isolation may occur if pain limits participation in some once-loved activities.
• Activities like walking, cooking, or crafting may require adapted tools or pacing strategies

These limitations can be difficult, but finding support, medication, and hobbies tailored to comfort can make a big difference in mitigating these issues.

Does having arthritis mean you can't live a normal life?

Of course not! Many people with arthritis in their hands live full, active, fulfilling lives. You may need to adjust how you do some things, but you do not need to stop doing them. There are a variety of different remedies, including treatments, physical therapy, and tools (like ergonomic grips or splints) that can make daily life more manageable.

More crucially, you can greatly improve the quality of life if you maintain social connections, practice light movement, and find (or modify) hobbies tailored to your body's ongoing needs. Arthritis may change your routine, but it doesn't have to define your life.

5 Easy and fun hobbies for arthritic hands

In the next section of this blog, we'll discuss five fun and easy hobbies for people who have arthritis in their hands.

1. Playing Solitaire Online

Why it's easy and fun for those with arthritic hands:

There is no shuffling or gripping cards required for online Solitaire. It's just simple, tap-or-click gameplay that offers calming stimulation without hand strain. There are robust, accessible free-to-play platforms like 24/7 Solitaire with large buttons, clear layouts, and even multiple difficulties.

Card games have also been proven to support cognitive health like memory and concentration, which can help you think, learn and remember more effectively.

Try a free round of Solitaire here to keep yourself feeling fresh.

2. Voice Journaling or Memoir Recording

Voice journaling or recording your memories is a therapeutic experience that does not require gripping a pen or typing. All you need is a phone, a smart speaker, or a recorder to build a legacy.

Whether you use built-in tools on smartphones like Voice Memos or free apps like Untold or Audio Diary, you'll have the opportunity to preserve your past experiences for loved ones, reflect on your day, or even create a digital memoir.

3. Bird Watching (Even From a Window)

Bird watching doesn't require your hands at all. You can simply watch, listen, and enjoy. It's a soothing hobby that's grounding and simple to make a regular habit. You can, of course, just use a window. But for extra ease, consider getting a window feeder and tabletop binoculars that don't need gripping.

After you have your adapted tools, it's time to look into an app from a place like Audubon. With that installed, you can combine it with your own digital bird log using voice notes or photos you take while scoping out your new friends. If you want to read more, look at this starter Birding guide from the National Park Service.

4. Audiobooks and Interactive Audio Activities

Audiobooks and interactive audio activities can help you keep your brain active without lifting a finger. Fulfilling audiobooks, guided meditations, and podcasts on topics ranging from self-improvement to history are all a few touches away.

You can find audiobooks on platforms like Libby (free through libraries), Librivox, and Audible. While podcasts can be found in places like Overcast, there's a huge library of guided meditations on apps like Insight Timer. As a life hack, you can also use voice-controlled speakers like Alexa or Google Home to make it even easier to listen to things.

5. Gardening with Adaptive Tools

Gardening is a satisfying hobby with therapeutic benefits, and with a few adjustments and new tools, it can be done comfortably by those with arthritis. Traditional gardening tools can be awkward or actively painful for arthritic hands. Still, numerous adaptive tools are available, including vertical/upright angle trowels, padded compression gloves, and implements with ergonomic grips or padded grips that work for planting, watering, and weeding.

You can also find planters with raised beds or rolling stools that can help with mobility issues. As a start, focus on low-maintenance plants like herbs or succulents. Organizations like the Arthritis Foundation offer extensive alternative options for gardening along with various other adaptive daily activities.

Start playing Solitaire online today!

Arthritis may change how you interact with the world, but it doesn't have to take away your enjoyment, creativity, or curiosity. Some things may take adjustments and time to become natural, but soon enough, you'll find hobbies that fit with your lifestyle.

Try a free game of Solitaire for an easy, comforting, and mentally stimulating activity for anyone with hand pain or stiffness.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.