As the weather gets colder and the days become shorter, some people may notice changes in their mood or feel more isolated, particularly when it becomes harder to get outside. For people living with multiple sclerosis, mobility challenges, fatigue, or concerns about flare ups can make the colder months feel even more limiting.
Continue readingBy Anita Williams
When it starts getting dark before you have finished work, the evening can feel over before it has begun. With MS, that can be even harder to deal with. Fatigue often sets in by late afternoon, and the cold can make your muscles stiffer and slower to get going. The walk you would usually take gets postponed. Going out seems like more effort. You spend more time indoors than you meant to.
The darker months can bring changes in mood, sleep, and energy, and MS can make each of those harder to manage. If you have noticed a shift, think about what has become harder and what might help.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Welcome to autumn, a season whose colors call to mind traditions, history, and memories. Even as those familiar reminders surround us, daylight hours grow shorter, causing the circadian rhythm to affect our thinking, health, and moods. When the days become shorter, some people experience a change in their moods and energy levels. Many of us were not familiar with the reason why the fall season creates a change in the mental state of some; however, science now shows us the reason why! However, as we learn, we are encouraged to develop ways to prevent the impact on our mental health when we have less daylight in the days. Here are 3 ways to protect your mental health when days get shorter.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
This month, the search for balance feels deeply personal. After a fall filled with family responsibilities, medical appointments, meetings, volunteer work, and the changing weather, I have often felt stretched beyond my limits. Each obligation matters, yet together they can consume my days and leave little room for me to pause, breathe, and care for myself.
Continue readingBy Angel Blair
Let’s be honest – most of the time, it’s difficult to balance all the tasks everyday life requires. Finding time to complete a to-do list, work, and handle other daily activities can be daunting, and sometimes too much on the mind and body. We all encounter this pressure, and life just continues to dole out its expectations and duties. So how do you find that balance of taking care of yourself and completing what’s to be done?
Continue readingLife can be overwhelming at times, but finding the right balance can help you stay healthy, grounded, and in control. There are a few practices that I try to follow to maintain that balance, while recognizing that things will not always go according to plan.
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Todos conocemos esa sensación. Mira el teléfono móvil y ahí está: ese pequeño ícono rojo de la batería que le avisa que la batería se está agotando. Sabe que tiene que recargar el móvil, pero aún le quedan sitios a los que necesita ir, cosas que necesita hacer y mensajes que responder. Así que sigue adelante y espera que la batería aguante solo un poco más. Nuestra energía puede funcionar de manera muy similar.
Continue readingWe all know the feeling. You look at your phone and there it is: that little red battery icon letting you know you are running low. You know you need to recharge, but you still have places to go, things to do, and messages to answer. So, you keep going and hope the battery lasts just a little longer. Our energy can work much the same way.
Continue readingThere are versions of myself hidden everywhere: in the back of closets, in drawers, in storage bins I’ve never unpacked because some part of me was unwilling to let go. I’ve kept old clothes that no longer feel like me (and certainly don’t feel good on), photos I should have deleted years ago, and gifts tied to people I’ve long since outgrown, held onto out of nostalgia mixed with a fair amount of guilt.
Overall, I’ve always been someone willing to purge things that no longer suit me, and I’ve done it regularly over the years. But even now, there are still plenty of things sitting around that I know I no longer need and will never use. Things I’ve kept because they belonged to another chapter of my life. Another version of me.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
One of the most meaningful quotes I have read this year is, “Nothing amazing happens inside our comfort zone.” When you first hear that tests confirm a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, your reaction may be shock, confusion, or disbelief. These are normal responses to news that can change the course of your life.
Over the past few years, I have spoken with many other MS warriors about the day they were diagnosed. Those diagnosed early often describe the experience differently from those diagnosed in later stages. I am among those who received a late diagnosis. Looking back, I realize my emotions followed a pattern similar to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s 1969 theory, the “Five Stages of Grief.” While the experience of living with MS is distinct, it often echoes a comparable emotional journey. I describe that journey as the 6 C’s of Mental Toughness and Resilience.
The 6 C’s are Coping, Courage, Care, Connection, Community, and Compassion. Here is a brief look at each stage.
Coping – This stage often carries you through the emotions commonly associated with grief, from denial and anger to eventual acceptance. For some, this process may be brief; for others, it may take much longer. I spent much of this stage feeling angry after investing significant time, money, and energy searching for answers. Even so, I remain grateful for the care team that helped guide me through the process and supported me along the way.
Courage – For many people, asking for help requires real courage. Using an assistive device or relying on others for support can also be difficult steps to take. Courage means weighing the risks and choosing what best protects your health and safety. As difficult as it may feel, using a walker, cane, or scooter can be a powerful act of strength rather than a sign of weakness.
Care – MS requires ongoing care and consistent attention. Keeping a health journal can help you prepare for appointments and communicate more effectively with your care team. Because many people with MS experience cognitive and memory challenges, having written notes can be especially valuable.
Connection – Connection reflects the relationships you maintain with family and friends. Strong, genuine bonds can make a meaningful difference throughout this journey. Support from the people closest to you can provide both stability and encouragement when you need it most.
Community – If you have not joined a support group, I strongly encourage you to consider it. Your MS community can offer meaningful relationships, practical resources, and a sense of belonging. No one should have to navigate this journey alone.
Compassion – The final stage of mental toughness and resilience is developing the compassion, knowledge, and clarity to support someone else living with MS. At this stage, your experience can become a source of strength and encouragement for others.
As an MS warrior, I hope everyone can move through these stages of mental toughness and resilience with strength, confidence, and hope.
About Dr. Eva Jackon:
Hello. My name is Dr. Eva Jackson, and I am currently a guest blogger for MSAA. I completed a Doctorate in Management, Organizational Development and Change at Colorado Technical University in Denver, Colorado. My academic background also includes a Master of Science in Leadership and a Bachelor of Art in Social Services from Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. I have previously co-owned an event planning, catering, and decorating business called NikLiz Designs with my husband of 31 years Tim Jackson. After being diagnosed with MS, my career path changed, but I continue to provide management consulting services. In addition, I participate in crafting activities and volunteer as a Peer Connections Leader and an MS activist for the National MS Society.