The lockdown for Covid-19 has found me very productive at home and with my work. By work, I mean my writing. However, the result of my productivity is stiff fingers with sore joints. It was very uncomfortable, to say the least, and sometimes painful. So here’s my home remedy for stiff fingers, which alleviated the pain, soreness, and discomfort.

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Inspired to Work

As I no longer have blogging events to cover, this Bacolod mommy blogger has been staying for more than 50 days already. That’s almost 2 months now.

But I don’t mind. Actually, I am an introvert and a homebody so the Enhanced Community Quarantine is normal for me. The only thing abnormal nowadays is having to wash everything from the outside.

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But ever since the lockdown, I have been more productive. I write at least two blog posts per day, post information on social media, plus cook for the family, and tend the garden.

In the house, I don’t prepare meals every day because we have a cook that does that. During the ECQ, however, I felt that preparing good meals for the family would keep a semblance of normalcy in the house. You see, our business is closed and hubby does not have work. That means no work, no pay for everybody. It can get depressing, sometimes.

So why not enjoy living on lockdown with good food? Well, until supplies and the family budget lasts, of course.

Overworked Hands

While productivity is good for the body, mind, and soul, it took a toll on my hands. Foremost, they are getting rough and really dry because of all the hand washing I do throughout the day. Yes, Covid-19 can make you paranoid.

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Additionally, typing on the keyboard, using the mouse for designs, gardening, and cooking (plus all processes like slicing, etc) resulted in overworked hands. And boy, making homemade ice cream can really be tiring for the hands as I handle the hand mixer! Recipe here: Homemade Gelato Recipe: DIY 2-Ingredient Ice Cream

My palms feel so thick that when I press them, I can hardly feel the sensation. The fingers are so stiff and the joints are sore, too. It was really uncomfortable that when I slept at night, I kept squeezing my hands and pulling my fingers!

The worst thing is, the joints of my fingers are starting to swell. Huhuhu Is this arthritis already? Noooo, please!

Hand Massage for Relief

When it gets too painful and uncomfortable, I would ask my hubby to massage my hands, just to bring some circulation in the area. He would press the palms and pull my fingers. I would also ask him to knead the wrists as well as the upper arm.

After that, I would apply something, like Pau Liniment. The minty feel will bring temporary relief. However, the discomfort will just come back.

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Hand Soak: My Home Remedy for Stiff Fingers

Then I thought, why not have a hand soak in hot water? Hot therapies usually felt good, like steam baths and sauna. Additionally, I used to soak my father in law’s feet in this mixture and he felt good. So I figured, why not do it for my overworked hands?

Hand Soak Recipe

So this is my hand soap recipe, which became my home remedy for stiff fingers. Didn’t have to take medicines for the pain anymore.

What you need: A small pail or container for soaking

• Hot water
• ¼ cup Epsom Salt
• 5 drops Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil
• 5 drops Lemon Essential Oil

By the way, I use Young Living Essential Oils. Read more: Are Essential Oils Good for Your Family?

I put hot water in the pail that’s enough to submerge my hands until the wrist. As for the temperature, I made it as hot as I could handle so that I can soak my hands for a long period of time. Also, high heat can be very therapeutic for pain.

Stir in the Epsom Salt and drop the essential oils into the mixture. If the water is still too hot, just dip your fingers first and remove them. I keep doing that until the water has cooled to the point that I can submerge my hands already.

The Result

During the first night, I stayed in that position for like 15 minutes. I really felt huge relief. My hands do not feel so thick anymore plus there’s more flexibility for my fingers.

The following night, I soaked for a shorter period of time. After soaking, I would apply liniment or massage oil with magnesium on my hands.

Since the water was still hot, I also soaked my left elbow, which had a nagging pain for months now. It felt better, too.

I have been soaking my hands for four nights already and my hands feel so much better. However, since I still keep working, the symptoms would come back. I don’t know how long I will keep this up, but it feels so good afterwards. Additionally, the aroma of the lemon mixed with eucalyptus is so relaxing. Ahhh…feels so good to inhale.

Try this at home, too.

• Related: Working from Home and Homeschooling Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic

Now, what I want is to do is find me a big container so that I can soak my whole body! Sorry, no bath tub here, but it would be really good to relieve all my body pains!