Sjögren’s disease is a condition where the body attacks moisture-producing glands, causing dry eyes and mouth. Researchers reviewed what we know about how lifestyle choices—like exercise, eating well, managing stress, and getting good sleep—can help people with this disease feel better. The study found that making these healthy changes is just as important as taking medicine. When patients take an active role in managing their health through better habits, they often experience less pain, better energy levels, and improved quality of life. This research shows that doctors should help patients make these lifestyle changes as part of their overall treatment plan.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, stress management, sleep, and staying socially active affect people living with Sjögren’s disease
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research and patient experiences, not a single study with participants. Researchers looked at many previous studies and gathered what patients themselves said about what helps them feel better
  • Key finding: Lifestyle changes appear to be just as important as medication for managing Sjögren’s disease symptoms. Patients who made changes in exercise, diet, stress, and sleep reported feeling better overall
  • What it means for you: If you have Sjögren’s disease, focusing on healthy habits—moving your body regularly, eating nutritious foods, managing stress, and sleeping well—can meaningfully improve how you feel. This works best when combined with your regular medical treatment, not instead of it

The Research Details

This wasn’t a traditional experiment where researchers test one group against another. Instead, experts reviewed all the scientific research already published about Sjögren’s disease and lifestyle, then combined that information with what patients themselves reported about what helps them. They looked at six main areas: physical activity (exercise), diet (what you eat), stress management, sleep quality, mental health, and staying connected with others. This type of review is valuable because it brings together all the available evidence in one place and includes the real-world experiences of people living with the disease.

The researchers specifically wanted to understand both what science shows works and what patients actually experience in their daily lives. This combination is important because sometimes what works in a lab doesn’t match what helps people in real life. By including patient perspectives, the researchers got a complete picture of how lifestyle changes actually affect people with Sjögren’s disease.

This approach matters because Sjögren’s disease affects many parts of a person’s life—not just their eyes and mouth. It can cause fatigue, joint pain, and emotional challenges. A review like this helps doctors understand that treating the whole person (body, mind, and social life) works better than just treating symptoms with medicine alone. It also validates what patients have been saying about what helps them feel better

This is a review article, which means it summarizes existing research rather than conducting a new experiment. The strength of this type of study depends on the quality of the research it reviews. The fact that it was published in a respected medical journal (Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology) suggests it was carefully reviewed by experts. However, because it’s a summary rather than a new study, the findings are only as strong as the individual studies it includes. Some areas may have more research than others

What the Results Show

The research shows that physical activity (exercise) helps people with Sjögren’s disease by reducing fatigue, improving joint function, and boosting mood. Regular movement doesn’t have to be intense—even moderate activities like walking or swimming can help. Diet also plays an important role; eating anti-inflammatory foods (like fish, vegetables, and olive oil) may reduce symptoms and improve overall health.

Stress management appears to be crucial because stress can make Sjögren’s symptoms worse. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga may help reduce both stress and physical symptoms. Sleep quality significantly impacts how people feel—poor sleep makes fatigue and pain worse, while good sleep helps the body heal and manage symptoms better.

Mental health and staying socially connected are equally important. People with Sjögren’s disease often experience depression or anxiety because of their symptoms and limitations. Having emotional support and maintaining relationships helps people cope better and feel less isolated. The research suggests that a combination of all these factors—not just one—works best for managing the disease.

The research also found that patients who took an active role in managing their own health had better outcomes than those who were passive. When people understood their disease and made intentional lifestyle choices, they reported better quality of life. Additionally, the studies showed that lifestyle changes can sometimes reduce the need for higher medication doses, though medication is still important. The research emphasized that different people benefit from different approaches—what works perfectly for one person might need adjustment for another

This review builds on decades of research showing that lifestyle changes help with chronic diseases in general. What’s newer here is the specific focus on Sjögren’s disease and the inclusion of patient voices. Previous research on other autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis) showed similar benefits from exercise and stress management, and this research confirms those benefits apply to Sjögren’s disease too. The emphasis on a ‘whole person’ approach reflects a growing shift in medicine away from treating just symptoms toward treating the entire patient

This review has some important limitations to understand. First, it’s a summary of other studies, so it’s only as good as those studies. Some lifestyle areas (like specific diets) may have less research than others. Second, the review didn’t measure how much improvement people actually experienced—it just confirmed that improvements happen. Third, most research comes from developed countries, so results might not apply equally to everyone worldwide. Finally, because people with Sjögren’s disease are different from each other, what helps one person might not help another in the same way

The Bottom Line

If you have Sjögren’s disease, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (like brisk walking), eat a diet rich in vegetables and healthy fats, practice stress-reduction techniques for 10-20 minutes daily, prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep, and maintain social connections. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence supporting them. Continue taking prescribed medications as directed—lifestyle changes complement medicine but don’t replace it. Consider working with your doctor or a specialist to create a personalized plan

Anyone diagnosed with Sjögren’s disease should pay attention to these findings. Family members and caregivers should also understand that lifestyle support matters. Healthcare providers treating Sjögren’s patients should incorporate lifestyle counseling into their treatment plans. People at risk for Sjögren’s disease (those with family history or early symptoms) may also benefit from these lifestyle approaches. However, these recommendations are specifically for Sjögren’s disease—other conditions may require different approaches

Most people notice improvements in energy and mood within 2-4 weeks of consistent lifestyle changes. Reduction in joint pain and dry symptoms typically takes 6-12 weeks. Maximum benefits usually appear after 3-6 months of sustained effort. However, everyone is different—some people improve faster, others more slowly. The key is consistency rather than perfection

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily exercise minutes, sleep hours, stress level (1-10 scale), and symptom severity (fatigue, dry eyes/mouth, joint pain on 1-10 scales). Record these daily to identify patterns between lifestyle choices and symptom flare-ups
  • Start with one small change: commit to a 15-minute walk three times per week, or add one anti-inflammatory food to each meal, or practice 5 minutes of deep breathing daily. Once this becomes routine (2-3 weeks), add another change. This gradual approach is more sustainable than trying to change everything at once
  • Review your tracked data weekly to see which lifestyle factors correlate with better symptom days. Adjust your approach based on patterns you notice. Share monthly summaries with your healthcare provider to discuss what’s working. Set quarterly goals to gradually increase exercise duration, improve sleep consistency, or deepen stress management practices

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Sjögren’s disease is a serious autoimmune condition that requires ongoing medical care from qualified healthcare providers. Before starting any new exercise program, diet, or stress management technique, consult with your doctor, especially if you have other health conditions or take medications. Lifestyle changes complement but do not replace prescribed medical treatments. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. If you experience worsening symptoms, new symptoms, or have concerns about your treatment plan, contact your healthcare provider immediately.