Dóchas; Living a Life of Hope with MS: Stress Free Me!

One of the things that I was told shortly after I got diagnosed was that "stress and MS aren't friends". Like many of the women I know, I'm mad for a bit of stress, and have a skill of finding it in the smallest of situations!! I have spent the last few months experimenting with different stress- relieving tactics. I am still finding what works for me, but would appreciate any hints or tips my fellow MSers have. These are things I have been using to manage my stress:

Yoga

I started yoga with the MS Society a few weeks ago and attend a weekly class. I also spend a few minutes every day doing a variety of stretches and moves that I have learnt from the class. I'll do a bit of stretching while the kettle is boiling/ watching the telly etc. This really works for me as it is a gradual thing I do throughout the day, as opposed to having to set aside a full hour to devote to it. Yoga is something that can be adapted easily, depending on your physical abilities at the time. There are specific stretches that can be done from a chair, which really helped me when my legs were weak. One thing I really enjoy about yoga is that it is strongly linked with mindfulness; being in the here and now. This works well to encourage a quiet mind.

Meditation
I am an avid user of meditation. I read a few books on meditation techniques and found Moon Over Water, by Jessica Macbeth to be extremely helpful. It gives steps to help silence those thoughts running through your mind, to allow you to achieve a state of calm. I also bought a relaxation CD that I will listen to sometimes to help me "get in the zone".

Aromatherapy
I have always been a fan of aromatherapy. I find the smell of lavender really soothing, so frequently use it in oil burners. I have lavender shower gel, bath salts and body moisturisers, which all contribute to my feelings of well being.
Peppermint is very cleansing, so I sometimes burn this when I need to feel refreshed. It has also been linked to stimulating the mind, so it is good to use when your brain is having a bit of an "off" day, which for me, is more frequent of late ;)
It's always good to check with your doctor before using essential oils because they're not suitable for everyone. Peppermint and lavender are not suitable for pregnant ladies.

So I would be interested in hearing what you all use to calm your minds and de- stress?

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

MS is an auto- immune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It affects more women than men, and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20- 40. MS is caused by damage to the myeline sheath, the protective covering that surrounds the nerve cells. When this covering is damaged, nerve impulses are slowed down, or stopped. The damage is caused by an inflammation, which occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. The causes for MS are currently unknown, but genetic and environmental factors may be involved.

4 comments:

VeeApril 5, 2011 at 6:53 PM
yoga. meditation. walking. lots of rest... and talking :) stress isnt my friend either
LydiaApril 7, 2011 at 2:41 AM
Oh, talking is my favourite too, Val ;)
LydiaApril 16, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I should have added hot bubble baths to the list of stress- reducing things I do. Haven't had a bath in AGES. Going to light loads of vanilla candles and have a soak tonight. I know some MSers suffer with difficulty when the temperature is too warm but I'm lucky in that I can still have hot baths with no issue :)
shellzerJune 28, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Hey Lydia, my way of dealing with anxiety panic or stress is stop and feel where in my body it feels tense and then by recognizing the place it is in I'm in a sense giving it a physical location rather than a mental one its called cognitive behavioral therapy, I believe and its helped me before I sink into a stressful mind set hope that helps you or anyone else cos its the business once you get your head into it kinda makes you recognize the seconds and minutes in the days you try to live one at a time :-)