Hygiene
- Soap dispensers in public bathrooms are often empty and waste hand energy. Carry disposable handwipes, and soapless hand cleanser
- Using an electric toothbrush may help, but be aware they do vibrate
- You can buy toothpaste from a pump dispenser, this may be easier than squeezing a tube
- Invest in good quality nail clippers, or try punch clippers
Clothing
- Buy easy-to-wear clothing
- Buy skirts and pants with elastic waists
- Dress in layers so you don’t have to manage very heavy garments
- Use knee-high stockings, or buy devices to help put on socks and pantyhose, and buy a shoe-horn
- Avoid zippers and troublesome buttons (you can buy button fasteners in specialty catalogues), or use a coat hanger or hook to pull the zip up
- Instead of difficult laces buy slip-on shoes or shoes with Velcro or elastic fastenings
- Try stretch laces that you don’t have to do up
- Buy cardigans or loose jumpers
- Stretch knitted fabrics are easy to wash and put on, and often don’t need ironing
- Hang your clothes after each wear, to reduce ironing
- Putting clothes in the dryer reduces the need for ironing
- After washing your clothes, hang them on coat hangers, or on a clothes horse to reduce ironing. Steam from the shower also decreases the need to iron clothes
Haircare
- Unscrew the top of the shampoo bottle so you don’t have to squeeze it, alternatively use a pump style shampoo
- Hang your head down and don’t raise your arms when brushing or blow drying your hair
- Use a lightweight hair dryer
- Support your arm on a surface (for example your bed) whilst brushing or drying your hair
- Use a wide-tooth comb for knots and tidying your hair
- Cut your hair shorter
- Perms can be easy-care hair styles, however, brushing your hair does provide a massage for your scalp, and can ease headaches
- Buy a hair towel, these absorb more water than normal towels
While you’re here…
While you’re here, how about helping us out with a donation?
We’re a really small organisation doing a really big job. We give people with RSI across Australia the info they need to get the right treatments, navigate the worker’s compensation system and better manage daily life.
Every little bit helps – so make a donation here to help us as Australia’s only RSI support organisation.