In true Inflammatory! style, Debbie and Katy bring plenty of humour, honesty, and a healthy dose of real talk in this heartfelt and relatable episode. They dive into what “looking after yourself” really means when you’re living with inflammatory arthritis or any long-term condition — and spoiler alert: it’s about a lot more than bubble baths and early nights!They chat about everything from blue post-it notes and children’s times tables to deep-tissue massages, blood test bureaucracy, hospital parking nightmares, and the realities of trying to cook healthy meals when your joints won’t cooperate. The conversation circles back to the importance of self-respect, community, and remembering to put on your own oxygen mask first.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-care isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and social too.

• It can mean different things, from spa days to colouring books.

• Community and friendship are vital parts of health.

• Listen to your body and don’t feel guilty for slowing down.

• Advocate for yourself, whether with a massage therapist or the hospital system.

• Health management comes with invisible costs that deserve recognition.

• Find joy in the small things: origami, art therapy, and simple creativity.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Teapot Trust – Art therapy charity supporting children and young people: teapot-trust.org

Inflammatory Arthritis UK – Resources, blogs, and stories: inflammatoryarthritis.org

Listen & Connect:

Subscribe and follow Inflammatory with Debbie & Katy wherever you get your podcasts:
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Join the conversation:
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and BlueSky — and share how you look after yourself.

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medicalprofessionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our persona lhealth journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.

·       For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/