Alternative Treatments: Meditation


 Meditation

Meditation is a practice that is gaining popularity at a rapid rate. It seems like everywhere you turn, something is telling you to be mindful or meditate. However, for individuals with multiple sclerosis adding in a practice of meditation or mindfulness can be very beneficial to disease management.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is a mind-body therapy where you focus your awareness on the present moment, in an open and non-judgmental way. The goal of meditation and mindfulness is to help you control your perception and then reaction to situations, feelings and emotions. In turn, you can react and respond more calmly and more thoughtfully, and by doing so, this hopefully lessens the effects of stress.

Meditation Benefits

Meditation has been shown to have many benefits for individuals with MS. In one study, individuals who took an eight week mindfulness meditation class showed improvements in fatigue, anxiety and depression and reported and improved overall quality of life. The coolest part? These effects lasted for at least six months after the class ended.
Another benefit is the obvious, stress reduction. Recently doctors have been able to positively correlate stress with relapses, duh. (Considering stress has been one of my biggest triggers I knew this to be true already). Meditation has been clinically proven to be effective at reducing stress, so therefore it makes sense that it would be an important skill to have in your toolbox when the going gets tough.
Meditation can be helpful both in the moment when you are in session and afterwards. During a session, you are focusing on your breath, which slows your body down, quiet your mind, and brings your body into a parasympathetic state. When you are going about your daily activities, you are more able to handle setbacks and have greater feelings of control and self efficacy.

Getting Started

Getting started with meditation is quite easy as it can be done anywhere at anytime. As with most things, consistency is the name of the game. The more consistent you are, the more benefits you’ll notice. At first, you might need to start with shorter sessions then build in length. I suggest starting with 5 minutes then increasing as you see fit. If you don’t have any technology handy to assist you, that’s totally fine! Close your eyes, and focus on your breath. This sounded so vague to me when I started, so I assigned a word to the inhale and exhale. For example, when I inhale I think of the word “calm” and when I exhale I think of the word “body”. Depending on what’s going on in my day, I change up the words. If it’s a high pain day, I might think of the words “calm” and “release” or “body and “release”. Sometimes your mind will wander, that is ok, just find your words again.
If you have technology handy, like your cell phone, there are many meditation apps that make it easy. My favorites are “Insight Timer” and “Calm”. You can choose between sounds, guided meditations, stories and anything in between.
Meditation is a wonderful tool to help decrease fatigue, anxiety and depression. The biggest benefit is in stress reduction as it has been clinically proven to be helpful. Stress reduction is always helpful for us MSers, as stress is one of the biggest triggers of relapses for many. So what are you waiting for? Get your Om on!

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:

5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms 

In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics

Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?

5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms

In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics

Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?
...

8 0
5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS

1. Addition before subtraction 
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed

More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!

5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS

1. Addition before subtraction
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed

More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!
...

10 1
Just a guess…

Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.

I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)

Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style.. 
But unable to say no when asked to do anything.. 

You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..

In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.

Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.

Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life

Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth

Just a guess…

Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.

I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)

Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style..
But unable to say no when asked to do anything..

You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..

In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.

Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.

Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life

Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth
...

22 2
Stress & MS!!

• How our nervous system should function 
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response

Stress & MS!!

• How our nervous system should function
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response
...

13 0
First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience- 
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!

Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse. 

My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???

While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t. 
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)

You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so. 

If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”. 

I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..

then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”

You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡

Try this instead: 
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud. 
- How did that feel to your mind and body? 

If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience. 

This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse. 

We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!! 

#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior

First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience-
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!

Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse.

My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???

While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t.
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)

You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so.

If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”.

I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..

then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”

You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡

Try this instead:
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud.
- How did that feel to your mind and body?

If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience.

This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse.

We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!!

#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior
...

5 3
This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)

And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
 I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too. 

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)

And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too.

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
...

18 5
More ways my life has changed 
👇🏼👇🏼

- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things 
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need 
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs 
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!

These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too” 
But they absolutely will!!

I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.

The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness

More ways my life has changed
👇🏼👇🏼

- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!

These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too”
But they absolutely will!!

I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.

The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness
...

19 3
Is people pleasing or perfectionism signs of stress?

You betcha.

Not only are they adding to your mental & physical load via ignoring your needs, demanding perfection from yourself, etc etc..

Having less flexibility in your emotions and actions tells me a lot about your nervous system and how dysregulated you are.

When we have less flexibility in our emotions or how we relate to ourselves, that usually means our nervous system lacks flexibility to manage our daily stressors effectively.

Meaning- you struggle to not feel like an anxious, out of control mess
Or like an exhausted pile of mush

The answer is cultivating resilience in your nervous system & body so that you are able to handle the stress without increasing MS symptoms or these unhelpful patterns.

Wanna know my blueprint I’ve used to help my clients finally come out of years of (partially self inflicted) stress? 

I’m hosting a free Masterclass next week allll about stress + MS, and how to live WITH stress, cause it ain’t goin anywhere.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #becausems #thisisms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosiswarrior #holisticliving

Is people pleasing or perfectionism signs of stress?

You betcha.

Not only are they adding to your mental & physical load via ignoring your needs, demanding perfection from yourself, etc etc..

Having less flexibility in your emotions and actions tells me a lot about your nervous system and how dysregulated you are.

When we have less flexibility in our emotions or how we relate to ourselves, that usually means our nervous system lacks flexibility to manage our daily stressors effectively.

Meaning- you struggle to not feel like an anxious, out of control mess
Or like an exhausted pile of mush

The answer is cultivating resilience in your nervous system & body so that you are able to handle the stress without increasing MS symptoms or these unhelpful patterns.

Wanna know my blueprint I’ve used to help my clients finally come out of years of (partially self inflicted) stress?

I’m hosting a free Masterclass next week allll about stress + MS, and how to live WITH stress, cause it ain’t goin anywhere.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #becausems #thisisms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosiswarrior #holisticliving
...

18 3
First, save this for later!

Second, what you gotta know about “managing stress” is:
it really matters how you care for yourself in the moment and afterwards

You see, most of us know when we’re experiencing moments of stress, 
but we don’t know how to attend to ourselves to mitigate the impacts.

It all comes down to awareness of:
- Your present moment 
- How that moment is impacting your body 

Once you’re aware of how the stress you’re experiencing is impacting you and your body, THEN you can start attending to yourself and changing how your body handles stress.

👆🏼👆🏼that’s also how we mitigate stress induced MS symptoms or relapses.

Awareness is always the first step babe.

Wanna know more?

Come to my Masterclass all about stress + MS, Cultivating Resilience 

Comment ATTEND below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #spoonielife #thisisms

First, save this for later!

Second, what you gotta know about “managing stress” is:
it really matters how you care for yourself in the moment and afterwards

You see, most of us know when we’re experiencing moments of stress,
but we don’t know how to attend to ourselves to mitigate the impacts.

It all comes down to awareness of:
- Your present moment
- How that moment is impacting your body

Once you’re aware of how the stress you’re experiencing is impacting you and your body, THEN you can start attending to yourself and changing how your body handles stress.

👆🏼👆🏼that’s also how we mitigate stress induced MS symptoms or relapses.

Awareness is always the first step babe.

Wanna know more?

Come to my Masterclass all about stress + MS, Cultivating Resilience

Comment ATTEND below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #spoonielife #thisisms
...

7 1
Yes I had been moving consistently
Yes I had been eating my veggies

But, the big thing that has helped over the last few years is regulating my nervous system.

You wouldn’t necessarily think so right away but let me explain..

You see, working on your nervous system means improving the amount of stress your body can handle.

And when your body can handle more stress, you can do more things (like walk miles and miles)

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for MS symptoms and relapses, so working on your nervous system usually brings MS symptom relief.

ESPECIALLY when you’ve “done everything” and “nothing works”

I’m hosting a Masterclass on Feb 18th:
The MS Stress Solution

Inside you’ll learn my blueprint for nervous system regulation that I’ve used with my clients.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement

Yes I had been moving consistently
Yes I had been eating my veggies

But, the big thing that has helped over the last few years is regulating my nervous system.

You wouldn’t necessarily think so right away but let me explain..

You see, working on your nervous system means improving the amount of stress your body can handle.

And when your body can handle more stress, you can do more things (like walk miles and miles)

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for MS symptoms and relapses, so working on your nervous system usually brings MS symptom relief.

ESPECIALLY when you’ve “done everything” and “nothing works”

I’m hosting a Masterclass on Feb 18th:
The MS Stress Solution

Inside you’ll learn my blueprint for nervous system regulation that I’ve used with my clients.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement
...

11 6

As Featured In:

© LISSMS 2025 | Powered By TheDevQ

0
Your Cart
Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
Calculate Shipping
Apply Coupon