Coping with MS

Looking after yourself

Dealing with stress

Stress may make MS symptoms seem worse. While you may be able to avoid some stressful situations, there are others you cannot. The very fact of having MS is stressful unless you can come to accept it. It is a good idea to find ways of recognizing and coping with stress. You may have to make changes in your work or relationships, cut back on financial commitments, or make practical changes to your lifestyle.

Counselling, listening to music, exercising, taking up new hobbies, relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation and massage-even just keeping a sense of humor-can all help.

Listening to your body

Overdoing things can make MS symptoms worse and may trigger a relapse. Be careful not to push yourself too far, and learn to recognize when your body is telling you to rest. Doing too little, however, may make you feel depressed or lethargic. Regular, appropriate exercise is important, however MS affects you.

Recharging your batteries

Sleep has wonderful restorative powers; and lack of sleep can make MS symptoms worse.

Remember the importance of rest when planning your work and social life. People with MS may need to sleep late in the morning, take a nap during the day, and go to bed early.

If you have trouble sleeping at night, think about whether you need to adjust your routine.

Relaxation techniques may help, while specially designed beds are available to help with postural problems.

If you feel drained of energy, rest can help to recharge your batteries. Rest means doing absolutely nothing. Listen to your body if it tells you that you need to rest.

Taking exercise

Sensible exercise, without overdoing it or getting too hot, can improve, rather than drain, your energy.

Regular and frequent exercise helps to maintain muscle tone and increases fitness, strength and stamina. It lifts your mood and releases tension so you can relax and sleep better.

Avoiding heat and humidity

With MS, you can be more sensitive to heat and humidity. You can cope with this by installing air conditioning, using fans, eating ice cubes and taking tepid baths and showers. You may also have to choose carefully where and when you go on holiday.

Eating and drinking

You need to maintain your strength by eating nutritious food. You may feel weak if you skip meals or eat only junk food.

It is important to drink enough to avoid dehydration; if you reduce fluids so that you go to the toilet less often, you have an increased risk of getting bladder of kidney infections.

Having a social life

There is no reason why, with MS, you cannot still enjoy your social life, although your levels of energy and your network of friends would influence it. It is important not to fall into the trap of isolating yourself just because you have MS.

Enjoying life

You may have MS but you can still take up new challenges to keep life fun and stimulating. Quality of life and physical disability are not necessarily connected. Life can be satisfying regardless of your physical abilities.

Making the most of life depends on your outlook and on knowing that help and support are there if you need them.

(source: National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

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