10 Tips for Self-Managing Your Multiple Sclerosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few tips available to help you self-manage your multiple sclerosis. Here are some lifestyle, home remedies, coping and support tips so you can feel better in your daily life.
1. Get plenty of good rest
Everybody functions better after a good night sleep. Getting some good rest is even more important to someone who suffers from multiple sclerosis. So to improve your lifestyle, try sleeping at least 8 hours a night.
2. Exercise
Regular, moderate and simple exercise is a great way to improve your strength, balance, muscle tone and co-ordination while living with multiple sclerosis. If your body temperature is too high and you feel uncomfortable with it, swimming and other water activities involving exercise can be a good option to help you get your temperature back to normal again.
If your MS is limiting you, try some simple exercises like walking, yoga, tai-chi, stretching and stationary bicycling.
3. Refresh and cool down
Some multiple sclerosis symptoms can get worse when your body temperature rises. When that happens, the best choice is to try and lower your temperature again, using some devices like cooling scarves or vests, and fans and avoiding being exposed to heat and high temperatures.
4. Eat a balanced diet
Results of small studies suggest that a diet low in saturated fat but high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in olive and fish oils, may be beneficial. But further research is needed. Studies also suggest that vitamin D may have potential benefit for people with MS.
5. Relax and relieve stress
Feeling stressed all the time can make your multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms worse. Try something to relax you, like yoga, meditation, a massage, or even just deep breathing.
6. Maintain your normal and daily activities
It’s really important that you maintain your lifestyle and daily activities as much as you can. Keep a daily and normal routine so your body isn’t subjected to a whole new routine.
7. Keep your friends and family close
Surround yourself with people you love. Your friends and family are the best people to have around to make you have a good time and laugh a lot. Enjoying life is still possible, even if you’re dealing with a complicated disease like multiple sclerosis.
8. Maintain your old hobbies and find some new ones
Everyone has hobbies. Some more than others. If you had a hobby before you got diagnosed, don’t suddenly give it up. Keep doing it and if you’re curious about trying some new things, take up a new hobby as well.
9. Join a support group
Sharing your feelings with other people who are experiencing the same thing can sometimes help you with dealing with the disease. Joining a local support group is an excellent idea, but if there isn’t a local support group you will be able to find on-line groups.
10. Talk about your feelings and fears
Find someone you can talk to. A friend, a family member, your doctor or caregiver, someone you feel comfortable with. It’s important that you share your feelings and fears with someone. Don’t keep it to yourself or you can easily become overwhelmed by it all.
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