Nature is such an important part of our world. While I am not fond of the bugs that call it home, I appreciate the beauty and all the resources nature provides. Did you know that nature can help us with stress management? This is known by a variety of names, including nature therapy, ecotherapy, and green therapy. Regardless of the name, it refers to the therapeutic benefits of spending time in nature.
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So much can change in the body following a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The toll MS takes on moving the body is significant. A forum on MultipleSclerois.net asked members for their insights to several questions:
There were many valuable responses!
We are living in a fast-paced world and to fit ourselves in society, we dive right into the whole rigamarole often forgetting that stressing over something that we cannot control is not going to improve the situation. Everyone has their threshold of handling stress. When you start noticing subtle signs like changes in appetite, breathing, energy levels, sleep, etc., that is your body’s signal to slow down. Don’t let stress take control over your life, rather figure out ways to combat it. It is rather easy to get overwhelmed, so the next time you feel bogged down by stress, keep these tips handy:
Continue readingApril is National Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about stress, its impact on mental and physical health, and strategies to cope effectively. Stress is a universal experience that touches everyone at some point in life. Whether it stems from work deadlines, personal relationships, financial strains, or unexpected challenges, stress is a natural response that can often feel overwhelming. However, understanding stress and learning effective management techniques can empower us to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and grace.
Continue readingBy: Stacie Prada
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and it’s a perfect reminder for me to check in with my stress level. It’s an extra busy month for me each year meeting professional and personal commitments while accommodating my health needs.
I recently did a 15-minute High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout, and I followed it with a guided meditation of the same duration. When I found myself needing more willpower to stay engaged during the meditation portion than I needed during the high-exertion portion, it occurred to me I really needed to work on calming my mind more.
Continue readingStress is unfortunately inevitable. We all can experience stress in some form, and it can manifest itself into physical and further emotional distress as well. Multiple sclerosis patients especially can experience stress or anxiety when it comes to managing their diagnosis. Managing stress is important for MS patients to help prevent relapses and to strengthen their immune response.
“Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.” – Khalil Gibran
To better manage anxiety and stress, a great place to start is with our thoughts. Often, our thoughts and worries lead down a deeper hole of anxiety. Take a minute to think about the top stressors in your life right now. If your mind goes to the “what-if,” then begin to shift it to the “what can.” The “what-if” is what easily spirals our thoughts. Focusing on what can be done about it in the here and now is a more productive way of thinking. We also forget to think about what is the best thing that can happen!
Continue readingBy: Brittany Quiroz, “A Hot MS”
I have sort of programmed myself to have a respect for the natural order of things in life. I’m one of the believers that everything happens for a reason. We are given life, and we do our best to milk every second out of it. Obstacles are inevitable. It’s a natural part of the cycle of our time here on earth. I can’t help but think that my difficult walk-through life with obstacles far from the norm contributed to my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.
There’s so much scientific backing to show how when our body goes into a fight or flight response, that it has a substantial effect on our nervous system. When we continue to put our bodies into that sort of space, eventually it can take a medical toll on our bodies.
Continue readingMSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Hope Angel as April’s Artist of the Month. Hope is from Seattle, WA.
Continue readingDoctor visits are never easy. Appointments can feel rushed, leaving you feeling unheard and unsupported.
To find out what works best when folks with multiple sclerosis (MS) see a doctor, we reached out to the MultipleSclerosis.com Facebook community. We asked, “How do you get your doctor to actually listen?”
More than 150 community members shared some great tips for those who may be feeling frustrated at their doctor appointments.
Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently comes with unique challenges, and taking control of our lives looks different for everyone. Those who have a sense of control over their life are more likely to take ownership and make the necessary changes to better manage their well-being. On the other hand, if we believe that things are completely out of our hands, we may be less motivated to make healthy changes and harbor feelings of hopelessness. While MS can be unpredictable, there are many ways we can regain and maintain a sense of control over our lives and take a proactive approach to our health.
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