Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLifestyleConfidenceTipsWhat to ExpectFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lifestyle
Confidence
Tips
What to Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
The physical, mental, and cognitive effects ofmultiple sclerosis (MS)can greatly influence a person’s quality of life. Medical treatments are the mainstay of treatment, but the right lifestyle measures can make living with MS easier and help you feel your best.
Read on to learn coping strategies for living with MS.
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Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle With MS
Healthy lifestyle choices are important for everyone, but they can be especially important for people living with long-term conditions such as MS.
While they aren’t a substitute for treatment, lifestyle changes can makesymptomsand relapses easier to manage.
These changes don’t need to be made all at once. Be realistic about what works for you. Small changes over time can have a big impact.
Prioritize Mental Health
Struggles with mood and mental health are common in people who have MS. Prioritizing mental health as seriously as physical health can help to preserve and even enhance quality of life for people living with MS.
Psychotherapy approaches can be very beneficial, including:
Medication may be recommended if a mental health disorder is present. Treating mental health conditions in people with MS is similar to treatment recommended for the general population, but interactions with MS medications need to be considered.
Manage Stress
Relaxation techniquesthat may help include:
Identifying stressors, setting realistic goals and priorities, asking for help when needed, keeping physically and mentally active, and making time for fun can also help reduce stress levels.
Find Support
Asking for help can be hard, especially if you are used to doing everything on your own, but seeking support is important.
Places and people to turn to for support include:
When asking for help:
Where to Find SupportThe National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers aresource guide and search toolthat can help you connect with healthcare providers, financial assistance, emotional support, home care, and more.
Where to Find Support
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers aresource guide and search toolthat can help you connect with healthcare providers, financial assistance, emotional support, home care, and more.
Get Plenty of Rest
Many people with MS have trouble with sleep, which can affect daytime cognitive activity.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your sleep difficulties to help determine the cause (including the possibility of asleep disorder) and what can be done about it.
How You Can Sleep Better Tonight
Eat Healthy Foods
There is insufficient evidence to show that any special diet is effective at preventing MS or affecting its development. Some of these proposed special diets could even be harmful.
Instead, the same nutritious foods recommended for all adults are recommended for people with MS as well.
Some basic ways to help ensure you aregetting proper nutritioninclude:
Be Careful With SupplementsSupplement use should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as some supplements may be harmful to people with MS. Particularly, avoid any supplements that claim to boost theimmune system.While research is being done into a possible link betweenvitamin D deficiencyand MS, speak with your healthcare provider about whether avitamin D supplementis right for you before taking them.
Be Careful With Supplements
Supplement use should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as some supplements may be harmful to people with MS. Particularly, avoid any supplements that claim to boost theimmune system.While research is being done into a possible link betweenvitamin D deficiencyand MS, speak with your healthcare provider about whether avitamin D supplementis right for you before taking them.
Exercise
Research has shown that exercise can have multiple benefits for people with MS, including:
Types of physical activities to try include:
Before starting a physical activity or exercise program, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it’s appropriate for you.
Exercising with MS comes with cautions to be aware of, including the potential for overheating,dehydration, exhaustion, and falls.
Overheating can cause minor symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and blurred vision, which do not havelasting effects, but may be unpleasant and limit the duration of the activity.
Ways to help avoid overheating include:
Have Fun
People who have MS may find that because their symptoms limit the amount they can do, they prioritize self-care activities and daily chores over leisure or social activities. However, this can negatively impact their quality of life.
Incorporating participation in meaningful and enjoyable activities into the treatment plan for people with MS is important.
These goals can be as simple as:
Building Confidence With MS
Acceptance is one way to build confidence with MS. This doesn’t mean “giving in” to the condition, but rather acknowledging that though MS is out of your control, you do control your reactions and decisions. Acceptance is an ongoing process that involves work and even grieving. But it can ultimately lead toimproved life satisfaction.
Some other strategies to help boost confidence include:
More Lifestyle Tips for MSOther helpful lifestyletips for living with MSinclude:Stop smoking (or don’t start):Smoking may worsen MS, whereas stopping smoking may help slow the progressionGet vaccinated: Vaccination can help avoid infections that could worsen symptoms or cause aflare-up. Some vaccines (those that contain live organisms) may not be recommended for people undergoing some disease-modifying therapies, so check with your healthcare provider before getting a vaccine.
More Lifestyle Tips for MS
Other helpful lifestyletips for living with MSinclude:Stop smoking (or don’t start):Smoking may worsen MS, whereas stopping smoking may help slow the progressionGet vaccinated: Vaccination can help avoid infections that could worsen symptoms or cause aflare-up. Some vaccines (those that contain live organisms) may not be recommended for people undergoing some disease-modifying therapies, so check with your healthcare provider before getting a vaccine.
Other helpful lifestyletips for living with MSinclude:
Tips for Working With MS
In the United States, the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) gives specific requirements for what an employer must do in terms of accommodating the needs of people withMS and other disabilities. This includes guidelines for areas such as:
Helpful Work Resources for People With MS
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides an in-depth guide to finding employment, working with MS, and rights in the workplace.
MS is not one-size-fits-all. Just as the symptoms and the progression of the condition can vary, so does the way different people respond to adiagnosis of MS.
Some people feel scared, sad, angry, shocked, uncertain, and many other powerful emotions. Others can feel relieved to have an answer for the symptoms they have been experiencing. There is no right or wrong way to react to being diagnosed with MS.
If you are struggling, talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can help you find the support you need.
Living With Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
Lifestyle changes are not a substitute for MS treatment, but they can improve the lives of people with MS. Measures such as prioritizing mental health, managing stress, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and finding support can benefit people with MS. You can also discuss arrangements with your employer for how best to continue your work and make any necessary workplace adjustments.
A Word From Verywell
Alongside treatment, there are many things you can do to make living with MS easier and more enjoyable. Prioritizing your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Talk to your healthcare provider about activities and lifestyle changes that are appropriate for you to try.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile not a substitute for treatment, people with MS may find lifestyle changes such as eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help with their symptoms.MS symptoms, severity, progression, and prognosis vary greatly. It’s impossible to predict exactly how MS will affect you over time. Regardless of how it manifests, some treatments and measures can make life more comfortable for people living with MS.The average life expectancy for people with MS has increased over time, likely due to improved treatment, health care, and lifestyle changes. Because of the possibility of complications or other medical conditions, the average life expectancy for people with MS is believed to be about seven years less than the general population, but many of these complications are preventable or manageable.
While not a substitute for treatment, people with MS may find lifestyle changes such as eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help with their symptoms.
MS symptoms, severity, progression, and prognosis vary greatly. It’s impossible to predict exactly how MS will affect you over time. Regardless of how it manifests, some treatments and measures can make life more comfortable for people living with MS.
The average life expectancy for people with MS has increased over time, likely due to improved treatment, health care, and lifestyle changes. Because of the possibility of complications or other medical conditions, the average life expectancy for people with MS is believed to be about seven years less than the general population, but many of these complications are preventable or manageable.
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17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lifestyle choices.Davis BE, Lakin L, Binns CC, Currie KM, Rensel MR.Patient and provider insights into the impact of multiple sclerosis on mental health: a narrative review.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(1):99-119. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00240-9Shapero BG, Greenberg J, Pedrelli P, de Jong M, Desbordes G.Mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatry.FOC. 2018;16(1):32-39. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170039MS Society of Canada.Wellness & lifestyle.University of California San Francisco.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with multiple sclerosis.Johns Hopkins.5 tips for living better with MS: patients and caregivers.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.What happens after diagnosis?National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Sleep.Motl R, Ehde D, Shinto L, Fernhall B, LaRocca N, Zackowski K.Health behaviors, wellness, and multiple sclerosis amid COVID-19.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;101(10):1839-1841. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2020.06.001MS Society of Canada.Healthy eating.Miclea A, Bagnoud M, Chan A, Hoepner R.A brief review of the effects of vitamin D on multiple sclerosis.Front Immunol. 2020;11:781. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00781MS Society of Canada.Exercise and physical activity.MS Society of Canada.Common questions.Plow M, Finlayson M, Gunzler D, Heinemann A.Correlates of participation in meaningful activities among people with multiple sclerosis.J Rehabil Med. 2015;47(6):538-545. doi:10.2340/16501977-1948National Health Service.Living with multiple sclerosis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Accommodations.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding MS.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lifestyle choices.Davis BE, Lakin L, Binns CC, Currie KM, Rensel MR.Patient and provider insights into the impact of multiple sclerosis on mental health: a narrative review.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(1):99-119. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00240-9Shapero BG, Greenberg J, Pedrelli P, de Jong M, Desbordes G.Mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatry.FOC. 2018;16(1):32-39. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170039MS Society of Canada.Wellness & lifestyle.University of California San Francisco.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with multiple sclerosis.Johns Hopkins.5 tips for living better with MS: patients and caregivers.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.What happens after diagnosis?National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Sleep.Motl R, Ehde D, Shinto L, Fernhall B, LaRocca N, Zackowski K.Health behaviors, wellness, and multiple sclerosis amid COVID-19.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;101(10):1839-1841. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2020.06.001MS Society of Canada.Healthy eating.Miclea A, Bagnoud M, Chan A, Hoepner R.A brief review of the effects of vitamin D on multiple sclerosis.Front Immunol. 2020;11:781. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00781MS Society of Canada.Exercise and physical activity.MS Society of Canada.Common questions.Plow M, Finlayson M, Gunzler D, Heinemann A.Correlates of participation in meaningful activities among people with multiple sclerosis.J Rehabil Med. 2015;47(6):538-545. doi:10.2340/16501977-1948National Health Service.Living with multiple sclerosis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Accommodations.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lifestyle choices.
Davis BE, Lakin L, Binns CC, Currie KM, Rensel MR.Patient and provider insights into the impact of multiple sclerosis on mental health: a narrative review.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(1):99-119. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00240-9
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MS Society of Canada.Wellness & lifestyle.
University of California San Francisco.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with multiple sclerosis.
Johns Hopkins.5 tips for living better with MS: patients and caregivers.
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.What happens after diagnosis?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Sleep.
Motl R, Ehde D, Shinto L, Fernhall B, LaRocca N, Zackowski K.Health behaviors, wellness, and multiple sclerosis amid COVID-19.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;101(10):1839-1841. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2020.06.001
MS Society of Canada.Healthy eating.
Miclea A, Bagnoud M, Chan A, Hoepner R.A brief review of the effects of vitamin D on multiple sclerosis.Front Immunol. 2020;11:781. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00781
MS Society of Canada.Exercise and physical activity.
MS Society of Canada.Common questions.
Plow M, Finlayson M, Gunzler D, Heinemann A.Correlates of participation in meaningful activities among people with multiple sclerosis.J Rehabil Med. 2015;47(6):538-545. doi:10.2340/16501977-1948
National Health Service.Living with multiple sclerosis.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Accommodations.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding MS.
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