There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common one is osteoarthritis; other common forms include rheumatoid, psoriatic and gout.

With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints is worn down, sometimes to the point of bone-on-bone contact. In other words, the bones have no shock absorbers, resulting in a lot of pain. Depending on which joints are involved and how severe the erosion is, patients can experience everything from morning stiffness to difficulty when walking, climbing stairs or just trying to tackle everyday activities.

Rheumatoid is an autoimmune disease that attacks joints and other parts of the body and leads to painful inflammation of the joint areas. Psoriatic arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints and a painful, itchy skin condition called psoriasis. Gout causes a buildup of uric acid crystals in your joints, which causes sometimes severe pain as the crystals cause abrasions in the joints. Lupus, though not a form of arthritis itself, often produces arthritis as a symptom. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that also attacks joints and organs (including the brain), causing inflammation and pain.

In all cases, pain causes stress and stress exacerbates the arthritic symptoms. Remaining still, as one might after waking up in the morning, can result in stiffness and pain upon movement. However, stayingin motion is one of the best pain deterrents. The body has a natural lubrication method called synovial fluid that, upon movement, coats the joints and reduces some of that painful joint pain. Knowing that stress can heighten the pain, doctors recommend exercise and any other stress-reducing disciplines for those suffering from arthritis.

According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have found that the practice of mindfulness meditation is helpful for some people with joint pain. Researchers also found that those with depression and arthritis benefitted the most from meditation.

Because severity of pain differs for every individual, it's a good idea to speak with your doctor before beginning any rigorous exercise program. For most, walking is one of the most basic and effective exercise programs there is. Walking is also a great way to warm up before doing any regimented exercise geared toward flexibility. Low-impact activities and exercises, such as walking, swimming and bicycling, will lessen the stress on your joints and help keep your bones healthier. If you can work with a trainer to get you started on an exercise program, do so. Allow your muscles to stretch and flex to increase your overall strength. Avoid quick and repetitive movements while you exercise. You can help to loosen up stiff joints by increasing your range of motion gradually. Remember that pain can be a sign of strain and injury, so don't overdo it.

While weight loss by itself does not cure arthritis, eliminating extra weight can reduce pressure and stress on the joints. Maintaining a healthy weight for your size will help the body to protect itself; in other words, being too skinny can be as unhealthy as being too fat. There are certain foods that will help your body heal and stay strong; choose foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin D, and talk to your doctor about supplements that may help your condition. Many doctors also recommend methods like meditation and yoga to help relieve stress. The Arthritis Foundation recommends regular massages of arthritic joints.

Yoga is a healthy form of exercise for all arthritis sufferers and, luckily, includes a variety of programs to fit your needs. Its benefits include increased strength, flexibility, balance, breathing and stress management. Work at the level that you feel most comfortable with. Restorative yoga is catered to people who have suffered injuries or illnesses and works at rebuilding strength and balance by concentrating on passive stretching. Chair yoga is great for seniors and others who might have joint problems. There are also adaptive blocks and straps that can help yogis hold each pose in a way that's safe and comfortable for their bodies.

There are many at-home yoga exercises you can do on your own. The Very Well Fit website published an article called "10 Chair Yoga Poses for Home Practice," complete with video instruction, to get you started with chair yoga. Try them out -- even if you don't suffer from arthritic pain -- for a restorative, meditative stress-reliever.