When trying to manage MS symptoms, there are tons of things we can be doing to help our situation. They range from how we think about or disease, to sleep, to how we move to what we eat. But what can we do right now to manage our MS better? In no particular order..
Vitamin D has been shown to be both a protective factor of preventing the onset of MS as well as something that can reduce symptoms and disease course in those who have MS. Getting outside even for just 20 minutes each day can be beneficial. Bonus points if you get outside in the morning, it will benefit your circadian rhythms, even if it’s cloudy.
Getting outside can potentially boost your mood and relieve stress as well. If you’re spending time in nature or in the woods, nature can have a drastic impact on your overall stress levels and improve your quality of life. Spending time in nature can lower your cortisol levels, pulse rate, blood pressure and increase your parasympathetic nervous system activity.
I can already feel the dirty looks coming my way through the computer. Exercising when you’re exhausted is hard. I get it. I’ve been there too. But action begets action. Which is true for any action, by the way. If you do a little exercise one day, the easier it will be to exercise the next day.
Exercise can be very beneficial for individuals with MS. Exercise can help with stability, mobility, strength and can give mental benefits as well. Sometimes the exercise methods might need to be adjusted depending on limitations, but just because someone might have some physical limitations, does NOT mean that exercise shouldn’t be considered as a treatment modality.
Something to consider if you’re just starting out on your exercise journey would be to find either a physical therapist or personal trainer who is familiar with MS or autoimmune disease. They will be able to program for your needs in an individual way, while keeping your specific needs in mind.
Stress is one of my biggest triggers. After talking to others, it is the same for most of them as well. Stress has actually been scientifically proven to impact our disease. It goes the other way too, MS can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. Both because of how we experience the disease as well as physiological changes associated with inflammation.
One of the biggest things to help with stress, at least for me? Leaning on others. Asking for help was never my forte. But I’ve realized recently how beneficial it actually is. Getting help from others to do some chores, run some errands or even just sit with you can be incredibly helpful.
What is on the end of your utensil can make a massive difference. Eating foods that contribute to inflammation only add fuel to the MS fire. However, eating foods that lower overall inflammation as well as specific foods that contribute to brain health, like omega 3s, will drastically improve your functioning, progression and prognosis.
One of the best things you can do first is to eliminate gluten. In the literature, some correlations between celiac disease and MS have been noted. Gluten is also very inflammatory and can contribute to leaky gut, or intestinal permeability. Which can lead to systemic inflammation and additional autoimmune disease.
Adding healing foods into your day will not only possibly reduce your symptoms it can possibly reverse progression, as in the case of Dr. Terry Wahls, and prevent further progression. Changing your diet will not cure you, but it can certainly help.
Mindfulness has been one of the best additions to my healing game yet. It has helped me in so many areas, and MS has just been one of them. In terms of MS, it has helped me with pain management and overall outlook on my disease. I routinely meditate as my mindfulness practice as well as take mindful walks, where I try to notice everything around me.
Mindfulness practices have been shown to help with quality of life, anxiety, fatigue and pain. It can look different for everyone too, meditation, yoga, exercise, cooking etc. You can make almost anything a mindfulness exercise if you’re aware of what you’re doing, what it feels like, what smells are present, what sounds you hear.
Despite doctors, the internet, your Aunt Becky telling you there is nothing you can do for your MS besides take medication, there is plenty you can do. This isn’t a complete list either, it’s what I would pick if I only could pick 5 things. These are the things I help my clients slowly integrate into their lives when we work together to help improve symptoms.
If you have MS and are wondering how you can start feeling better, check out my 5 Best Foods for MS Guide!
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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!!
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
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
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
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
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
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
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
It’s a bold statement, but I stick by it.
Countless times I’ve seen my clients improve their symptoms when they change their diet, add supplements etc.
But nothing changes you, your MS symptoms & progression more for the better than working on your mindset, stress management and how your body tolerates stress (all parts of the same coin)
THAT is how you’ll find that one day you aren’t:
• An anxious mess in the morning..
• Having trouble saying NO when you really mean it
• Doing all the things to help everyone else BUT yourself
(Which I know you struggle with- and that’s keeping you sick still babe)
You can do hard things..
#lissms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing
It’s a bold statement, but I stick by it.
Countless times I’ve seen my clients improve their symptoms when they change their diet, add supplements etc.
But nothing changes you, your MS symptoms & progression more for the better than working on your mindset, stress management and how your body tolerates stress (all parts of the same coin)
THAT is how you’ll find that one day you aren’t:
• An anxious mess in the morning..
• Having trouble saying NO when you really mean it
• Doing all the things to help everyone else BUT yourself
(Which I know you struggle with- and that’s keeping you sick still babe)
You can do hard things..
#lissms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing
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
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
Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅
But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.
You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.
Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.
And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.
Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!
I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.
Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis
Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅
But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.
You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.
Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.
And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.
Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!
I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.
Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis
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