Cold Weather


We are officially in the throws of winter up here in the North East! It’s been freezing, gross and dreary, very winter like. We’ve had our share of snow storms so far as well. I grew up in Ohio, and we got hit with Lake Effect snow almost round the clock during the winter, so I am no stranger to snow squalls and cold temperatures. But that does not mean that I enjoy them. I down right hate them in fact. I am a summer lover. Actually spring lover now, but that’s another story.

It’s well known that heat and MS are not pals. Heat can exacerbate MS symptoms quicker than anything. So you’d think that us MSers would love when winter comes around, right? Nope. Winter and cold temperatures are just as hard on us as heat, just for other reasons.

Cold temperatures bring on their own group of issues. Cold can bring on increases in pain, stiffness and spasticity.  If you experience the ‘MS hug’ you may find that it gets worse in winter months. Some people actually experience more fatigue in the winter, possibly from dealing with the muscle symptoms mentioned above or an increase in depression, another MS symptom. Something else that often occurs in the winter (and it happens to me ALL THE TIME) is Raynaud’s Phenomenon. This is when either the tips of your fingers or toes lose circulation and turn white then blue when cold. When they eventually warm up, blood returns, but it is very painful.

As with most other things that come with MS, the reason behind why we are affected by cold so much isn’t well known. However, there is new data is coming out constantly about how Vitamin D levels effect individuals with MS and developing MS. It looks like Vitamin D levels do have something to do with relapses, their severity and how symptoms are experienced. Since Vitamin D is obviously lower in the winter months, this may have something to do with why symptoms are experienced at higher levels during winter months when Vitamin D is at it’s lowest in our bodies.

So what can we do about our symptoms RIGHT NOW?

Glad you asked!

  • When you need to go outside, cover up! Getting the appropriate outer wear is necessary. Having a heavy duty coat, gloves and hat is key.
  • Find good boots. Having quality boots during the winter is so important. If you’re going to be outside for ANY length of time, you need something on your feet that is waterproof, going to keep you warm and comfortable.
  • Warm up from the inside out: Grab a mug of your favorite warm beverage, this is my number one way to warm up fast. My neurologist also said that drinking a hot (or cold) beverage is the fastest way to change your core body temperature. It’s science!
  • Make sure you are eating throughout the day. Eating regularly will help your body to stay fueled and working properly. Soup, warm dishes are great options in the winter!
  • Stay active. Sweating might not be number 1 priority during the winter, but it can help warm your body AND help with tight, spasming muscles. Engage in your favorite exercise and it will help you all around.
  • Don’t over do the heat. Taking a hot bath or shower might be really tempting, and sometimes feel good for a few minutes, but eventually it may have the opposite effect and turn on you. Heat can be not friendly too.
  • Get some sun! It may seem like it’s not doing anything, but even a little bit of mid-day sun can go a long way, especially in these dreary winter months.
  • Have fun! This is the hardest for me. I hate winter, so finding things to do that are fun is hard for me. But finding things to do that can keep my spirits up is so important. That can be going to the movies, a new museum or even the mall to get out and walk a bit.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If it is really cold, or really icy, don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you get somewhere, or grab somethings from the store for you.

Although cold weather and MS don’t get along, just as we do with heat, if we are careful and plan around our day, we can get through it all just fine!

What are somethings that you have found that have helped with dealing with the cold?

Let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

Oh I definitely did, kicked him out of my kitchen to be exact.

But I think this relationship was the straw that broke my camels back in terms of developing MS.

I can see other risk factors throughout my life, but this 10000% was the final one.

If you are in a toxic or abusive relationship, job, friendship, family- this is your sign to put yourself first and leave! 

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #abusiverelationshiprecovery #nervoussystemsupport #becausems

Oh I definitely did, kicked him out of my kitchen to be exact.

But I think this relationship was the straw that broke my camels back in terms of developing MS.

I can see other risk factors throughout my life, but this 10000% was the final one.

If you are in a toxic or abusive relationship, job, friendship, family- this is your sign to put yourself first and leave!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #abusiverelationshiprecovery #nervoussystemsupport #becausems
...

12 0
These and so many more things are helpful to me in reducing symptoms…

But do I do them all, everyday? Absolutely not 😅

Some are staples, some are supports.. 

How do you take care of your symptoms?
What’s easiest?
What’s hardest? 

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #MSSymptomManagement #thisisms #becausems

These and so many more things are helpful to me in reducing symptoms…

But do I do them all, everyday? Absolutely not 😅

Some are staples, some are supports..

How do you take care of your symptoms?
What’s easiest?
What’s hardest?

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #MSSymptomManagement #thisisms #becausems
...

27 6
Diagnosis TLDR:
Scene: 23, in graduate school, working at Target full time, and unfortunately in an abusive relationship 

- vision got blotchy blurry
- spine got electrical impulse feeling with movement
- eye doc, who said get an MRI, then left a message saying don’t have a brain tumor 😲 but see a neurologist IMMEDIATELY 😲😲
- neurologist: does all the tests. More MRIs, visual field, AWFUL spinal tap 😵‍💫

Yup, MS 🧡

What was your first symptom?
what told you something was wrong?

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #msdiagnosis #thisisms #becausems

Diagnosis TLDR:
Scene: 23, in graduate school, working at Target full time, and unfortunately in an abusive relationship

- vision got blotchy blurry
- spine got electrical impulse feeling with movement
- eye doc, who said get an MRI, then left a message saying don’t have a brain tumor 😲 but see a neurologist IMMEDIATELY 😲😲
- neurologist: does all the tests. More MRIs, visual field, AWFUL spinal tap 😵‍💫

Yup, MS 🧡

What was your first symptom?
what told you something was wrong?

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #msdiagnosis #thisisms #becausems
...

67 25
It’s easy to outsource the understanding of our bodies to the internet and “other”

I mean I get it, I was once in an unpredictable body too- and it sucked. I didn’t understand what was happening and I would have loved for someone to say: here’s the key.

But what if… instead of looking outward for more info.. you went inward and gave yourself the information, and in doing so you helped to improve how your body feels and functions.. sounds kinda cool, right? 

I explain it all in my Slap it to Map it training.. comment SLAP and I’ll send it to you asap

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #nervoussystemregulation #lymphaticmassage

It’s easy to outsource the understanding of our bodies to the internet and “other”

I mean I get it, I was once in an unpredictable body too- and it sucked. I didn’t understand what was happening and I would have loved for someone to say: here’s the key.

But what if… instead of looking outward for more info.. you went inward and gave yourself the information, and in doing so you helped to improve how your body feels and functions.. sounds kinda cool, right?

I explain it all in my Slap it to Map it training.. comment SLAP and I’ll send it to you asap

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #nervoussystemregulation #lymphaticmassage
...

6 0
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa. 
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis. 

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition 
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management 

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
...

1 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
...

0 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
...

10 5
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel. 

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Your possibilities are endless! 

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms

It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️

Your possibilities are endless!

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
...

17 7
Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system. 

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation

Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
...

13 1
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden

First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden
...

17 0

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