Whether or not you have lupus, exercise is an important way to take care of yourself. Exercise has many physical, emotional and social benefits. It is particularly helpful for people with lupus, and most people with lupus can take part in some form of activity.

Here’s why exercise is helpful for managing lupus:

1. Exercise can strengthen parts of your body that may be affected by lupus — the heart, lungs, bones and joints.
2. Exercise helps reduce inflammation by regulating some of the chemicals involved in the inflammation process.
3. Exercise can help control weight gain caused by use of corticosteroid medications and keep your body conditioned.
4. Exercise, and even simple low-impact movement, will make muscles less stiff, increase your range of motion and help you reduce the risk of heart disease.
5. Exercise may boost your mental health, making it easier to cope with life stressors and potentially improving mood and self-esteem. In addition, exercise can reduce fatigue.

If you are considering starting an exercise program, working out with a buddy can give you the moral support to stick with your exercise routine while making your fitness time double as social time.

Be sure to discuss your exercise plans with your physician or exercise specialist in order to maximize results and minimize possible harm.

It’s also a good idea to vary the exercises, so that different muscle groups all get a regular workout. If you are experiencing swollen joints or muscle pain, you should avoid or at least limit activities that may be demanding on joints and muscles, such as jogging, weightlifting, or high-impact aerobics.