Navegando por la vida con EM: Encontrando crecimiento en los desafíos

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Claudia Chavez

Vivir con esclerosis múltiple (EM) conlleva una serie de desafíos y contratiempos que a veces pueden resultar agobiantes. Desde los síntomas impredecibles hasta la complejidad del tratamiento, estos obstáculos pueden parecer desafíos enormes. Es importante reconocer que, aunque los contratiempos son muy reales, no tienen por qué definir nuestro camino. Existen estrategias eficaces para manejar estas dificultades y encontrar formas de adaptarse y progresar. Los contratiempos pueden crear oportunidades inesperadas de crecimiento, resiliencia y un sentido de propósito, demostrando que, incluso ante la adversidad, siempre hay un camino hacia adelante.

Continue reading →

Recipe of the Month: Carmel Apple Dip

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Melissa Young

Caramel Apple Dip is an easy and fun recipe to make and add to your Thanksgiving gathering or Fall celebration. When I make this dip, everyone compliments me on how yummy it tastes. It only requires a few ingredients, and you do not need to use the oven. You can make it the night before and refrigerate, one less thing you have to worry about! Enjoy.

Continue reading →

Learning from Emotions: Lessons from Holidays Past

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Dana Carney

Giving, thanks, joy, togetherness, festivities. If you were to see these words, you would most likely think of holidays throughout the year and perhaps picture a happy family, a crackling fire, and laughter from a Hallmark movie.

So, what happens during or after a holiday when you are left feeling defeated, overstimulated, or even just…empty?

Continue reading →

Navigating Life’s Difficult Times

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Courtney Merker

Life inevitably throws challenges our way, whether in relationships, careers, or health. The instinctive reaction to difficult situations might be stress, frustration, or even hopelessness. However, with a shift in mindset, these challenges can be more manageable and be an opportunity for strength and growth.

Continue reading →

Moments Matter

Posted on November 13, 2024 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Have you ever been in a mood and had something happen that changed it in a moment? It happens a lot, and some moments stick through the years.

I recall being at work years ago, and cheerfully saying, “Good morning!” They responded quickly and sharply, “What’s good about it?”

I don’t remember how I responded then, but I still think about how it startled me. I felt like I’d done something wrong, and I wasn’t sure what. My mood swiftly dropped from happy to resentful. This memory helped me learn the life lesson that we’re all living different experiences, and lots of interactions have nothing to do with us.

Continue reading →

Navigating Emotions During the Holidays

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Diana Cruz-Beniquez

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:

Continue reading →

Recipe of the Month: Hocus Pocus Halloween Punch

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Melissa Young

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!!

Continue reading →

Coping with Seasonal Change: Embrace the Shift

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Courtney Merker

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 reading →

Fall-ing In Love

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Teena Palathanam

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 reading →

Fall Into Self Expression

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Diana Cruz-Beniquez

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 reading →

FOLLOW MSAA ON: