Why We Wake Up Stiff and Achy

The Body’s Natural Ibuprofen

Scientists have discovered that we wake up stiff and achy because our body’s natural ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. As day darkens into night, the circadian clocks in joint tissue suppress inflammation and also the body’s production of anti-inflammatory proteins, our natural pain-dampeners.

Yep, our body’s biological clock suppresses anti-inflammatory proteins while we sleep. Once the morning light streams in and we’ve struggled up and moved around a bit, the body begins producing its anti-inflammatory compounds again, and we begin feeling more flexible with less pain.

British researchers say that these findings may eventually lead to new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

10 Ways to Reduce Morning Pain

While waking up stiff and achy is common for just about anyone, it can be especially painful for people with recent injuries or arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other inflammatory conditions; those recovering from a recent surgical procedure; athletes after a hard training day; or just plain ordinary folks who have spent hours shoveling snow or garden compost.

While you can’t reverse the effects of joint aging, you can reduce the severity of morning stiffness with these tips:

1. Don’t sleep on a worn-out mattress and/or pillow—or one that doesn’t provide the right level of support for the neck and spine.
2. Try a new sleeping position. Sleeping on your stomach may contribute to morning pain. Try sleeping on your back or side with a pillow under your knees.
3. Avoid sleeping in a too-cold environment. 
4. Find ways to be more active during the day.  Movement lubricates joints. Exercise and yoga relieve inflammation by increasing blood flow to your muscles. Aim for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
5. Be careful not to overtrain (working beyond your limits or strength and/or endurance).
6. Watch for poor posture, especially while performing daytime tasks. Change your positions if you are sitting at a desk.
7. Maintain a healthy weight.
8. Improve a poor diet. Avoid foods that cause inflammation (often dairy, wheat, sugary foods), especially before bed, and aim to eat a diet with more veggies, fruits, whole grains, and seafood.
9. Look for ways to reduce physical or emotional stress that results in chronically tightened muscles and tendons.  Consider mindfulness meditation which has been clinically shown to change the way your brain processes pain. How to meditate? Begin by focusing on breathing. Start with a minute and build up to more time. If your attention wanders, return your focus to your breathing.
10. Do not smoke cigarettes! Amongst all its many health evils, cigarettes are linked to poor pain relief. Smoking  prevents oxygenated blood from reaching bones and tissues. And it limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, making the blood quality lower. 

5 tips for a better morning … 

1. Working up from your toes, contract, wiggle, and stretch every part of your body while you’re still lying in bed. This gives your muscles a chance to warm up before jumping into action for the day.
2. Move slowly and stretch after you stand up. 
3. If you can, get into a warm tub or shower to loosen up and soothe the overnight aches.
4. Of course, if you take pain medication, ask your doctor about rescheduling and/or altering the dose.
5. Take a vitamin D supplement.

Finally, note that joint health supplements do not appear to help manage symptoms so don’t waste your money.

Follow these steps to get off to a smoother—and more comfortable—start and get on with your day!

See more about getting a better sleep:

What is the best sleeping position?

Why am I so tired? Overcoming fatigue.

Charley Horses and Leg Cramps