If you’ve ever been so fortunate to visit the hospital for specialized testing, MRI/CAT scan/CT scan etc, you know it is not something to be thankful for. Hospitals can evoke extreme anxiety for many people, just by their atmosphere alone. Not to mention the reason for being there in the first place. I’ve had my fair share of MRI’s, I get at least 2 a year to check for MS progression. In reflecting on MRI’s of the past, I’ve wondered why some were such an awful experience and some aren’t quite that bad. I discovered some things that made a big difference and I want to share these with you, as they can be applied to various medical situations, or any stressful situation you may encounter.
I found during an MRI a while ago, that the time of the exam made a huge difference. All of my other MRI’s (and other exams for that matter) have been in the afternoon/evening due to work. After a long and stressful day already, I had to walk into another stressful situation. However, I changed things and had one first thing in the morning recently. Some people (myself included before I went) would say that’s even worse! Now I have to get up early for the stupid stressful test? But yes. You want the answer to be yes. I realized that there is an advantage of a morning MRI. Not only am I not awake yet, my body isn’t either. I am able to relax and get into a calm state much easier than I can at the end of the day. Being calm and relaxed is a huge benefit for any type of testing, or stressful situation, medical or otherwise.
I hear it now, a resounding ‘duh’ from all of you. ‘Of course I’m going to get comfortable’. But this goes beyond just ‘getting comfy’ or as comfy as possible (it’s hard in those small MRI machines). But what I mean is, really adapt your surroundings to you. If you need another pillow, leg rest or blanket, say so. Don’t think you’re being a pain in the ass just because you need another blanket as the tech is walking away. The tech is there to help you, but you need to help yourself first and say something. There is no use being freezing, or obnoxiously hot, when it can be easily remedied. That is true in life as well. There are plenty of people in our lives willing to help, but how often do we reach out? Or we know what will help us, or make us feel better, but we struggle to implement those changes. Because change is hard and our brains make it difficult. But don’t be afraid to give up good for great.
In my experience, an MRI can go downhill, fast. Either I overheat, something starts to insanely hurt or my mind gets the better of me. In these situations all I have left is my breath. Breath is the foundation for life, movement and focus. In these situations, it is never more evident. Sometimes all I can do about the situation is breath through it. I can calm my body down and calm it’s reactions down through my breathing. My most used technique is called ‘square breathing’. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, repeat. If I can focus on my breath, usually whatever is bothering me, will calm itself as well. I have found this technique to be useful daily as wel l. If I encounter a situation that is completely overwhelming and is threatening to ruin my day, taking a moment to focus on my breath lets me gain the calmness and clarity I need to be able to handle it.
This may be another tip that appears more geared toward an MRI/procedure than anything else. However, it has everyday uses as well. When you’re being shuttled into the MRI machine, the last thing the tech gives you is a call bell. This is a ‘get me the eff out’ button. Don’t be afraid to use it. It’s there for a reason, a good reason. Thankfully, I haven’t had to use it yet. Thinking back on it, there’s several occasions where I probably should have. I’m still learning about this one too. That life line that is there for us, waiting and ready for us to take it? Don’t be afraid of it. How many times have we been at the end of our ropes and needed to get the eff out of where we were? Probably plenty. Don’t be afraid to press the call bell and get out.
These tips apply to an MRI or life in general. If you’re not comfortable with where you are or what’s happening, take steps to change it. If all you can do is breathe, then breathe away. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to press the call bell and get out.
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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?
I don’t want you to spend the years I did in pain, feeling numb and tingly, being exhausted- and having to do all the research.
Let me make it easier for you.
Comment HHMS below and I’ll send you details.
We start next week!!
I don’t want you to spend the years I did in pain, feeling numb and tingly, being exhausted- and having to do all the research.
Let me make it easier for you.
Comment HHMS below and I’ll send you details.
We start next week!!
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