The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness. However, for many, it can also bring about a wave of negative emotions. Whether it’s due to the pressures of gift-giving, family dynamics, or the reminder of past losses, this certain time can sometimes feel overwhelming. As a person who tends to get overstimulated easily, especially around the many people and activities that accompany the occasion, I have compiled a few tips that may relieve negative emotions this season:
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Recipe of the Month: Hocus Pocus Halloween Punch
This easy 3 ingredient Hocus Pocus Halloween Punch recipe is great to make for all ages. Only takes a few minutes to prepare and is perfect for watching the classic Hocus Pocus movie! Happy Halloween!!
Coping with Seasonal Change: Embrace the Shift
As the seasons shift, many of us feel the ripple effects in both body and mind. Whether it’s the crispness of autumn, the chill of winter, or even the blooming spring, these changes often affect our routines, moods, and energy levels. Seasonal change can feel exciting or challenging depending on how it impacts us personally, but there are ways to embrace the transitions and even thrive through them.
Continue readingFall-ing In Love
Fall is officially here. It takes some time for our body clocks to reset and adjust to the fewer hours of sunlight and the cooler temperatures. All these changes can bring changes to how we feel physically and mentally and for individuals with MS, seasonal changes can result in flare-ups. With the change in weather, make sure to incorporate a balanced diet, hydration, regular exercise and adequate sleep into your daily routine. Everyone reacts differently to seasonal changes, so figure out what works for your body and mind by experimenting with different strategies. Here are some ways to enhance your fall experience and make the most of this season:
Continue readingFall Into Self Expression
The change in season can bring about so many wonderful things, like the feeling of a fresh start, new experiences, and the opportunity to partake in certain activities that only occur during certain parts of the year – like pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides, and attending fall festivals. Although I am a big fan of season change and participating in its many exciting aspects, I can also fall into the feeling of decreased energy or motivation, under or over stimulation around the holidays, and fatigue from lack of sunlight or shorter days. When feelings like this arise, I find comfort in activities that allow me to express myself in new and creative ways. Here are some fall and winter activities that bring me joy that I encourage others to try!
Continue readingCoping with the Seasons: A Personal Approach to Change
Feeling the cooler air this morning made me realize that fall is officially here. It’s hard for me to tell sometimes because I live in a very warm climate. Who chooses to live in 110-degree weather, right? Like clockwork, I know I must take my winter clothes out of the garage and embrace the cooler seasons. As the seasons change, it’s not just the weather that shifts—our bodies and minds can feel it too. Whether you’re bracing for the heat of summer or the chill of winter, adjusting your routine can really help make the transition smoother.
Continue readingCómo afrontar las estaciones del año: Un enfoque personal al cambio
Sentir el aire fresco esta mañana me recordó que el otoño ha llegado. En ocasiones es difícil darme cuenta por qué vivo en un clima muy cálido. ¿Quién elige vivir en un clima de 110 grados? ¿Verdad? Sé que es tiempo de sacar la ropa de invierno de la cochera y disfrutar de las temperaturas más frescas. El clima cambia con las estaciones del año, y nuestro cuerpo y mente también lo hacen. Ya sea que se esté preparando para el calor del verano o el frío del invierno, ajustar su rutina puede ayudar a que la transición sea más fácil.
Es importante conocerse a sí mismo y entender las necesidades de nuestro cuerpo. Reconocer cómo nos impactan las estaciones del año es crucial para crear una rutina que sea manejable. Debo ser honesta: levantarme por la mañana es mucho más difícil para mí durante el invierno. Algo sobre las mañanas más frías y oscuras no me motiva a salir a caminar como suelo hacer en verano. Me he dado cuenta de que necesito dormir más y programar mis caminatas para la tarde. Entender por qué haces lo que haces es la clave. Tómese un momento para reflexionar. ¿Cómo se siente cuando cambian las estaciones del año? ¿Experimenta mayor fatiga durante el invierno? ¿Necesita más cuidado personal durante las vacaciones debido al estrés? ¿O siente más melancolía y necesita apoyo adicional durante los meses más fríos? Dedicar un poco de tiempo a anotar sus síntomas puede ayudarle a averiguar qué ajustes podría necesitar hacer en su rutina o determinar si le beneficiaría buscar ayuda profesional de su equipo de salud o de un profesional de salud mental.
Enfrentar los cambios en las estaciones del año es muy personal. El cambio puede ser difícil y causar estrés, miedo e incluso ansiedad. Mientras que algunas personas se adaptan fácilmente a los cambios en el clima, los cambios de horarios escolares, etc., otras personas pueden tener dificultades para adaptarse, sintiendo que su vida diaria, su salud y su bienestar emocional se ven afectados. Practicar mindfulness, o la atención plena, y el cuidado personal puede ayudarnos a adaptarnos y mantenernos flexibles al cambio. Por ejemplo, está bien tener que presionar el botón de repetición un par de veces en su alarma o decidir quedarse en casa si el clima es desagradable. También puede mantenerse en comunicación con sus seres queridos de distintas maneras, aun cuando el clima no nos favorece. Comparta su experiencia con sus seres queridos; es probable que ellos sientan lo mismo. Mi forma favorita de sobrellevar los meses más fríos es con sopas y guisos calientes llenos de verduras. Una comida caliente y una rutina nocturna relajante son todo lo que necesito para despertar sintiéndome renovada.
Adaptarse a los cambios en las estaciones del año no tiene por qué ser estresante. Al prestar atención a su cuerpo y hacer pequeños ajustes reflexivos, puede navegar los altibajos de las estaciones del año con un poco más de facilidad. Recuerde, se trata de encontrar lo que funciona para usted y mantener su salud como una prioridad a lo largo del año.
¡Cuídese y disfrute de cada estación del año!
Hurricane Helene Resources
The devastation from Hurricane Helene has affected millions of people in the Southeast and has resulted in widespread damage. Many people have lost their lives, communities have been destroyed, families have been displaced and essential services have been disrupted. Recovery and restoration from the aftermath of the hurricane is going to take a long time. Considering the recent impact of Hurricane Helene, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) has compiled a comprehensive list of resources to assist with emergency preparedness and response.
Continue readingSelf-Care on the Wings of a Goldfinch
I’ve already written this blog post once and I’ve decided to scrap it. This is a page one rewrite. My initial post was preemptive. I was writing about something I had yet to experience and now I’m on the other side. Isn’t it funny how much we can project onto something that is yet to be? Better to live in the present, but what a challenge that is for me.
Our topic this month is self-care, and my ultimate self-care starts with a 20-year desire and ends in a goldfinch. On Friday the 13th I got a tattoo of a goldfinch on my forearm. It’s not my first tattoo and probably won’t be my last, but this little guy is the most meaningful to date. The goldfinch is a symbol of finding happiness in challenging times. It is seen as protective, devoted, persistent, and carries good fortune on its wings. What more could you ask for in a little cheerleader when you’re living with MS? It may seem strange that I consider this new addition to my skin as self-care, but I can’t honestly think of a more direct way to honor and treat myself.
Continue readingSelfless Self Care
The significance of self-care is undermined in individuals going through MS. MS can wreak havoc on your life as it leads to physical, behavioral and cognitive changes over time. Below are some ideas for self-care that will improve your brain and body’s wellbeing while battling this disease:
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