Psoriatic Arthritis Can Make It Hard to Sleep. Here Are 7 Tips for Better Rest

Exercising during the day is good for your health, and it can also help you sleep better at night. Indeed, regular movement can lead to more zzzs as well as sleep that’s deeper and more restorative, according to CreakyJoints.

That’s true for everyone, but as an added benefit for people with PsA, regular exercise can help reduce symptoms like joint pain and stiffness, according to a November 2021 review in Clinical Rheumatology. That can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.

So, what kind of exercise is best? The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week.

Low-impact activities like walking, biking and swimming are all good options that are easy on the joints, especially if you’re new to exercise. But higher-impact workouts like running or HIIT aren’t off the table if they feel good for you and your doctor gives the OK.

You should also aim to do a strength-training workout at least twice a week, per the Physical Activity Guidelines. That could mean working out with weights, doing body-weight exercises like squats and push-ups or using resistance bands.

In a February 2018 randomized controlled trial in Clinical Rheumatology, people with PsA who performed resistance exercises twice a week for 12 weeks reported better quality of life, including less pain. And less pain could make sleep easier to come by.

2. Manage Pain and Inflammation With Medication

Often, PsA pain and stiffness can be relieved or reduced by medication. Your rheumatologist can help you find the best treatment option based on your symptoms.

Commonly prescribed medications include DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) like methotrexate, which can help prevent and reduce disease progression.

For quick relief at home before bed when you’re dealing with a symptom flare, you can try over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin).

Motrin is a type of medication called an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), which can not only reduce pain but also help reduce inflammation in the joints.

Just make sure you’re not popping a pill every night before bed, which could lead to a host of dangerous side effects. If you’re taking these meds often, talk to your doctor about other options.