Alternative Treatments: Pets!

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Animals are natural caregivers. They are in tune with people. They know when you are upset or sick and can provide a comforting presence just by being near you. Therefore it makes sense that individuals with multiple sclerosis, or any chronic illness, have pets around the house. On top of these benefits, animals, dogs specifically, can be important therapy animals or service animals. These animals give specifically trained guidance to the people that need it the most.

Therapy and Service Animals

Although the names seem similar, there is a difference between a therapy animal in a service animal. A therapy animal is often used to provide emotional support. Due to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, therapy animals are not allowed in the same places that service animals are, such as restaurants or stores. Service animals on the other hand are highly trained and can be specifically trained to identify certain medical conditions, such as blood sugar dysregulation or seizures. ADA guidelines allow service animals in most places. Considering there is specific and sometimes lengthy training involved with these animals, they can be rather expensive. However, there are still numerous benefits to having pets even if they are not specifically trained as therapy or service animals.

A Buddy!

One of the best reasons for having a pet is to have a companion. Even if you’re living with a significant other or a partner, having a pet around seems to bring another level of understanding and friendship. As I mentioned above, pets seem to know when something isnt feeling quite right, and they know exactly what to do. Just sit and be with you.

Goodbye Stress!

A close second on the list is stress reduction. It has also been scientifically proven that petting animals can reduce stress, and even sitting close to one can be beneficial. Even if you don’t have your own animal, heading to a friends house who does, having them come over or going to a shelter and visiting those animals (or even volunteering!) can still do you good.

Get Moving

All animals need some form of exercise, and if you have a dog, that exercise will often include you! Getting outside with your pet will be wonderful for your health as well as your relationship with your pet. Getting some movement out side will be great for both your physical and mental health. Plus the vitamin D will help too!
Having a pet brings joy and excitement to your life. When you’re living with chronic illness, there are many other benefits that pets can bring as well. Obviously, there are things to consider when getting a pet, how easy will it be to care for the pet, if someone lives with you to help with the pet if there is a big financial commitment of having a pet etc. But in my opinion, if your situation allows you the opportunity of a pet, I’d take it with open arms.

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 hard!!

We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc..

But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first.

If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us.

Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body?
(I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught)

I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

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

14 5
Open
This is hard!! We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc.. But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first. If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us. Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body? (I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught) I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!! #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #stressmanagement #lissms #thisisms #becausems #seasonaldepression #anxiety

This is hard!!

We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc..

But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first.

If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us.

Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body?
(I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught)

I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

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

14 5

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

24 7
Open
I get it.. It seems like it would be good. Because others around you are taken care of.. Because others around you feel good.. Because others around you are happy.. But what about you?? In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse. I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves. Feel a little called out? Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you. This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!! Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!! #lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems ...

24 7

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

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

9 2
Open
✨Moving your body✨ Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps. Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons. Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as: Pain Tension Trouble breathing Difficulty with balance It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin. Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms. My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday. Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!! #lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

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

9 2

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

18 8
Open
I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms. There are SO MANY things that can help us. But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most? Working on your mindset and stress management tools. We can change our diet Change how we move Change the products we’re using Change the supplements we take.. But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far. Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same. My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too. My email list is gonna get first dibs.. Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!! ...

18 8

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis

19 4
Open
And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃 We can do hard things y’all, breathe in, breathe out, all will be well. #Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis ...

19 4

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote

10 1
Open
Home stretch!! Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends. #Electionday #Govote #Vote

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote ...

10 1

I think 90% of my clients have talked about already feeling the shift to Fall and Winter hardddd.

They are worried about seasonal depression coming back with a vengeance, feeling sad summer is gone and so many other things.

I know when so many feel the same way, you might too.
I know I feel this way too.

I’m working with them to put habits in place NOW that will support them through the winter months.

Here are 2 small shifts we talked about this week:

1. Get sunlight into your eyeballs as soon as you can in the morning.☀️☀️

Ideally this is outside, there will be many science bro’s out there telling you that anything else “doesn’t count” but I say that’s BS.
Yes, the sunlight will have a greater impact if you’re viewing outside, but even if you’re behind a window it will do something.

2. Move your body!! 💃🏃‍♀️

The change in seasons to colder weather makes it super easy to hibernate and move wayyy less than we were in the summer.
I know I’ve been guilty of that this week and it’s showing in my sleep.
But moving our bodies can be so helpful for regulating so many things in our bodies.
Ideally you’re moving in the morning, but again- any time of day will do.

These are 2 small shifts that can make it easier for your body to transition to, and live with the Winter months.

Let’s crowdsource… what else helps you in winter??
I know there are many other things that can!!

11 4
Open
I think 90% of my clients have talked about already feeling the shift to Fall and Winter hardddd. They are worried about seasonal depression coming back with a vengeance, feeling sad summer is gone and so many other things. I know when so many feel the same way, you might too. I know I feel this way too. I’m working with them to put habits in place NOW that will support them through the winter months. Here are 2 small shifts we talked about this week: 1. Get sunlight into your eyeballs as soon as you can in the morning.☀️☀️ Ideally this is outside, there will be many science bro’s out there telling you that anything else “doesn’t count” but I say that’s BS. Yes, the sunlight will have a greater impact if you’re viewing outside, but even if you’re behind a window it will do something. 2. Move your body!! 💃🏃‍♀️ The change in seasons to colder weather makes it super easy to hibernate and move wayyy less than we were in the summer. I know I’ve been guilty of that this week and it’s showing in my sleep. But moving our bodies can be so helpful for regulating so many things in our bodies. Ideally you’re moving in the morning, but again- any time of day will do. These are 2 small shifts that can make it easier for your body to transition to, and live with the Winter months. Let’s crowdsource… what else helps you in winter?? I know there are many other things that can!!

I think 90% of my clients have talked about already feeling the shift to Fall and Winter hardddd.

They are worried about seasonal depression coming back with a vengeance, feeling sad summer is gone and so many other things.

I know when so many feel the same way, you might too.
I know I feel this way too.

I’m working with them to put habits in place NOW that will support them through the winter months.

Here are 2 small shifts we talked about this week:

1. Get sunlight into your eyeballs as soon as you can in the morning.☀️☀️

Ideally this is outside, there will be many science bro’s out there telling you that anything else “doesn’t count” but I say that’s BS.
Yes, the sunlight will have a greater impact if you’re viewing outside, but even if you’re behind a window it will do something.

2. Move your body!! 💃🏃‍♀️

The change in seasons to colder weather makes it super easy to hibernate and move wayyy less than we were in the summer.
I know I’ve been guilty of that this week and it’s showing in my sleep.
But moving our bodies can be so helpful for regulating so many things in our bodies.
Ideally you’re moving in the morning, but again- any time of day will do.

These are 2 small shifts that can make it easier for your body to transition to, and live with the Winter months.

Let’s crowdsource… what else helps you in winter??
I know there are many other things that can!! ...

11 4

All the tools that are inside Holistically Healing MS I’ve used myself to decrease my MS symptoms and significantly feel better in my body.

Over the next 8 weeks, let me be your guide on how to make this a reality for yourself.

We start tomorrow at 5:30pm eastern, you coming?

11 3
Open
All the tools that are inside Holistically Healing MS I’ve used myself to decrease my MS symptoms and significantly feel better in my body. Over the next 8 weeks, let me be your guide on how to make this a reality for yourself. We start tomorrow at 5:30pm eastern, you coming?

All the tools that are inside Holistically Healing MS I’ve used myself to decrease my MS symptoms and significantly feel better in my body.

Over the next 8 weeks, let me be your guide on how to make this a reality for yourself.

We start tomorrow at 5:30pm eastern, you coming? ...

11 3

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