Alternative Treatments: Meditation

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 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,

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This is what came through during my meditation this morning.

I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..

But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.

I needed this message today… maybe you do too?

14 4
Open
This is what came through during my meditation this morning. I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately.. That I’m not doing enough.. That progress isn’t happening fast enough.. But that’s a lie. I’m right where I should be. I needed this message today… maybe you do too?

This is what came through during my meditation this morning.

I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..

But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.

I needed this message today… maybe you do too? ...

14 4

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

21 5
Open
This is how I slowly helped myself the most: Making small changes to my life, * Intentional awareness to my morning * Noticing when I’m being mean to myself * Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight.. Some “small” ideas for you too: * don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go * drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too) * get up and move every hour * say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean * step outside for a few minutes a few times a day Small changes add up to big steps forward, don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”, they absolutely are. Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies? I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!! ...

21 5

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

27 4
Open
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals. You just have to show up. You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡 *after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna. ...

27 4

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

14 0
Open
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title. Did you see?? Pre Orders are open! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

14 0

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3
Open
Struggling to start with exercise? Try this tip!! Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were. Because we’re trying to do something different after all. This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process. Become who you want to be in your mind first. Does this help? What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!! ...

31 3

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15
Open
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS. This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey. It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better. ““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive” So… drumroll please… Pre orders are officially open!! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

33 15

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2
Open
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass! This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!! You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park! Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!! ...

32 2

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0
Open
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments. But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too! This is rewiring your brain in action. You notice you’re doing something you always did, Then do something different. And boom! A new pathway is born. It needs some love and attention to grow, so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing! ...

22 0

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2
Open
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should. Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too? I see you. Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2! ...

38 2

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1
Open
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!! Come on in… Let me show you around! This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends! Wanna join us? Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

16 1

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9
Open
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you. Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment. But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments. Just a reminder. Keep going. ❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️ ...

32 9

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