By using the mindset I teach at The MS Stage along with my tools, I was able to walk further and faster than I have in a long time. I used walking tools, affirmations, visualizations, mindset, and gratitude!, and it all worked to make the trip joyful for both of us.

My body was in total joy when I was dancing and celebrating our friend’s wedding! The joy and love my body felt allowed my leg, Roxy, to flow easier and hence I didn’t need my cane on the dance floor.

Having compassion and gratitude for your body and your symptoms can make living with an MS diagnosis much easier. When you see your symptoms as a friend you can adore them and give them what they need.

I’ve been featured on some great podcasts talking about my lifestyle choices that keep me nourished and well, and my women’s MS support group, The MS Stage. Check these shows out, you may find a new favorite podcast!

Take a moment and think about what YOUR joy time looks like. Then set aside an hour to bring more joy into your life. You can decide in the moment or plan ahead for something really fun. It can be a big undertaking or something simple and small. Just make sure your joy time is all about YOU and not someone else’s agenda.

From my teaching experience, I have found that many MSers feel that they are grieving their “old bodies” - the body they knew before they were diagnosed with MS. They wish they were still able to live in that old body and experience life with them instead of their “new body.”

As the minister said this, I thought what if my students could grieve their old bodies with hope instead of with fear and sadness?

When you’re feeling overwhelmed or disappointed, remember this small action you can take to reset and reframe any given circumstance. Feeling thankful boosts neurotransmitter serotonin, which is related to feelings of satisfaction, happiness and optimism. Gratitude also activates the brain stem to produce the feel-good chemical dopamine.

Joining a multiple sclerosis support group like The MS Stage can be a really powerful step on your healing journey, but there are lots of other ways to bring healing arts for MS into your day to day life, too. Here are ten self-care practices that I incorporate into my daily routine to help me reduce multiple sclerosis symptoms and boost my mental health.