Lifestyle Tips to Manage Multiple Sclerosis
For multiple sclerosis patients, to manage and live with the condition can mean introducing some major lifestyle changes. There will be certain things that you will have to do differently once you start managing the condition on your own. These modifications can make one’s life easier. Therefore, if one is wondering how to self manage multiple sclerosis, here are some tips:
Make sure that you are well-rested
A sound sleep at night means that your body is rested and rejuvenated to perform the next day’s tasks. To manage multiple sclerosis, it becomes even more necessary to get a decent amount of sleep. To keep your body fresh and uplifted the next day, make sure that you get a sound sleep of at least eight hours at night.
Make it convenient
If you have been wondering how to self-manage multiple sclerosis, you must know that convenience is extremely important. When you make things around you convenient, it saves you a lot of energy while performing tasks. Even little changes can go a long way in helping you in handling multiple sclerosis. Some changes that can help you in managing the condition can include:
- Maintain a journal, which should contain all the necessary details about the condition in one place. This journal should be your go-to reference whenever you need to know something about your condition
- Switch to voice-to-text technology to save yourself the hard work of typing on the computer
- Things that are frequently required should be made more accessible
- Keep a mini-fridge in the room where you spend most of your time
Make your surroundings comfortable
Multiple sclerosis patients are commonly sensitive towards any temperature changes. If the surroundings become too warm, it can cause discomfort. Thankfully, this sensitivity does not mean that the condition is progressing. This means that the discomfort can go away as soon as the temperature becomes normal. You can consider the following in order to prevent the heat:
- Switch to clothes that are perfect for hot weather and contain gel packs to keep the body cool
- Use a mattress that is firm and cools down the surface; you can also utilize cooling pads to maintain the temperature of your existing mattress
- Enjoy some cool baths
- Make sure that you keep your body hydrated to help it maintain the temperature
Keep your surroundings safe
Some symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, such as problems with body balance, can have a severe impact on one’s safety. One must consult the doctor if they think they are at risk of falling. Some changes that you can make to avoid such harmful situations include:
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Use skid-proof bath mats
- Ensure that the appliances that you use regularly come with an auto-shutoff feature
- Keep the pointed utensils downward while cleaning them in a dishwasher
- Keep the bathroom door unlocked.