It was a beautiful day by anyone’s standards, except a runner. 72, mostly sunny, perfect early summer day in June. But to me, it felt like 90 degrees and scorching hot. It was 2013 and I was running the B.A.A 10K. I was in the middle of my running “career” and in the middle of my 2nd or 3rd 10k. Everything started out just fine, music was pumping in my ears, adrenaline flowing through my legs, “I got this” I thought. Until I hit Commonwealth Ave. For those of you unfamiliar with Boston, Commonwealth Ave is a fairly straight, uncovered, stretch of pavement. And this was where the majority of the 6.2 miles were ran.
It got hot. It got hot, real quick.
One of the most well known symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, at least to us MSers, is heat intolerance. Being exposed to heat, whether it is from being outdoors, being in a hot shower or exercising, can make MS symptoms temporarily worse, which is called a pseudo-exacerbation. Once our bodies return to normal temperature, the symptoms dissipate and return back to their normal state.
During a pseudo-exacerbation there is no actual disease progression taking place, however, while the symptoms are being felt, they are very real! In fact, back in the day before MRI’s and modern medicine, doctors used to use the “hot bath test” to diagnose MS. In this test, individuals who were suspected of having MS were put in a hot bath to see if their symptoms increased. As unpleasant as an MRI is, I’m sure that would be much worse.
Doctors believe a pseudo-exacerbation occurs because heat causes the nerves, which are already are damaged, to perform their functions even less effectively. When body temperature increases, even by a quarter or half a degree, the electrical signals sent between demyelinated nerves are even further negatively impacted. Some of the most common symptoms that individuals experience when in the heat are:
Sometimes being in the heat is unavoidable, so being prepared is the best thing you can do! Here are some tips for beating the heat:
My hubby and I like to go to the beach all the time. One summer, we went on a beach tour and went to a new beach each weekend. So to say I’m “used” to the heat is an understatement, but it still gets to me. What I’ve found the most helpful for beating the heat is having a place to run back to that provides shade, whether that is an awesome beach tent or big tree, something that provides relief from the sun’s rays is key. I’ve found that sometimes in the shade it feels 10 degrees cooler than when in the sun. I also like to have a cooler with ice water with me. Yes, this means lugging a cooler to the beach, but in order to make my beach time fun, this is a necessity. My last thing that is key? Running in and out of the water. Obviously this isn’t always do-able if you’re not at the beach, so bringing some way to apply cold water, either a personal mister or cold towel or even having a mini AC handy is important.
But most of all, make sure to advocate for yourself and your comfort. Thankfully, my husband knows me better than I know myself, and will be able to tell when I’ve had enough. But sometimes I’m not with him and I need to speak up on my own behalf. You deserve comfort as well as any other person. Please don’t let fear of “ruining” a summer day keep you from saying what you need.
By the time I hit the race turn around point, I felt like I was going to pass out. Looking back on it, I had no business finishing this race. But, I’m stubborn. And I was even more stubborn back then. Thankfully, my sister ran 99.9% of my races with me, and she was right there by my side. She didn’t know it, but she gave me the strength to keep going and in my mind, was there in case I passed out. By the time we hit the home stretch, I told her to go on ahead (she was great at sprinting to the finish) and I came behind about a minute later. My hubby (boyfriend at the time) was also there, at the finish line. He took one look at me, yelled at the medics, “GRAB HER”. I was stumbling to the finish, barely able to see, my legs were numb and tingling (at the same time, totally weird feeling) and I couldn’t feel most of my body. Against my overheated, belligerent will, I was thrown in a wheelchair and carted off to the medical tent. I fought the entire time, stating I was “fine” and I just needed to “walk it off” (ha!). My core temperature was 106 degrees, I was dizzy, confused and fighting the nurses. They tossed me in an ice bath for what seemed like an eternity (to me, as well as my then boyfriend and sister) and I thankfully didn’t have to go to the hospital. I think I told them I had MS, and that everything was much worse because of the heat, but I don’t really remember too much else of the conversation. Obviously both the act of running and the heat got to me that day. But I think the heat was the most impacting factor. I was a well conditioned runner at the time and the distance had previously given me no issues on 50 degree days.The only things gained from the experience was a new shirt and a healthy respect for rising temperatures.
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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
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
Being aware and consciously working on nervous system regulation has SO MANY benefits..
✨Waking up with less anxiety
✨Feeling less all/nothing thinking
✨Being able to physically breathe better
✨Reduction of your MS/autoimmune disease symptoms
I could go on and on.
We aren’t gonna be able to fully manage MS symptoms until we acknowledge our very disregulated nervous system.
Embodied Resilience starts you on that path.
And- you’re in luck- it’s on sale till Monday night.
Comment STABLE and I’ll send you the link!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems
Being aware and consciously working on nervous system regulation has SO MANY benefits..
✨Waking up with less anxiety
✨Feeling less all/nothing thinking
✨Being able to physically breathe better
✨Reduction of your MS/autoimmune disease symptoms
I could go on and on.
We aren’t gonna be able to fully manage MS symptoms until we acknowledge our very disregulated nervous system.
Embodied Resilience starts you on that path.
And- you’re in luck- it’s on sale till Monday night.
Comment STABLE and I’ll send you the link!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #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
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
✨How to do this✨
First! Like + save this post so you can come back to it for reference
Now, set a few alarms on your phone- ideally in the morning, afternoon and bedtime.
These will serve as your reminders.
Then, when the alarm goes off:
✨Pause, take a few deep breaths
✨Check in with your mind and body- how are you in this moment?
✨What are you thinking?
✨How are you feeling emotionally?
✨Is there a thought that needs to be challenged/reframed?
✨Are you being present in the moment?
✨How are you feeing in my body?
✨How are you breathing?
Some of these questions might not apply to your current situation and that’s fine
This is the first step to interrupting the very unhelpful patterns we often live in that can increase symptoms via heightened stress
This is one of the big things we work on in Holistically Healing MS, which will be on sale this weekend for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link when it’s ready!!
✨How to do this✨
First! Like + save this post so you can come back to it for reference
Now, set a few alarms on your phone- ideally in the morning, afternoon and bedtime.
These will serve as your reminders.
Then, when the alarm goes off:
✨Pause, take a few deep breaths
✨Check in with your mind and body- how are you in this moment?
✨What are you thinking?
✨How are you feeling emotionally?
✨Is there a thought that needs to be challenged/reframed?
✨Are you being present in the moment?
✨How are you feeing in my body?
✨How are you breathing?
Some of these questions might not apply to your current situation and that’s fine
This is the first step to interrupting the very unhelpful patterns we often live in that can increase symptoms via heightened stress
This is one of the big things we work on in Holistically Healing MS, which will be on sale this weekend for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link when it’s ready!!
✨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
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!!
Changing my diet changed the course of my life.
I want that for you too.
It feels hard, but doesn’t have to be.
PS- keep your eye out for Black Friday.. all my courses will be on sale, your healing journey awaits!
Changing my diet changed the course of my life.
I want that for you too.
It feels hard, but doesn’t have to be.
PS- keep your eye out for Black Friday.. all my courses will be on sale, your healing journey awaits!
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
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
Do you do any form of meal planning?
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!!
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?
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