My Health Routine Living with MS
My Health Routine Living with MS
I never would have imagined that one day I’d be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I thought I was healthy (for the most part), so how could this possibly happen to me? When I learned about this, my natural response was to hide within myself and grieve. I grieved the loss of my old self and what could have been. It’s pretty tragic since it feels like a death of oneself. Sometimes, when you are overrun with grief, you partake in very destructive ways. I drowned my sorrows with alcohol and did nothing to help lessen the emotional pain I felt.
Then, one day, my sister shared a Ted Talk video with me of Terry Wahls on what she did for her MS. I had given up already without even putting in a fight, and this moment in time saved me from my own downfall. Thank you for this, Tahnee.
So, I got serious about my health and did what I could to optimize my fitness, nutrition, and mind. I genuinely believe that the mind-body connection is very real. I wanted to feel good and do everything in my power to help my body heal.
What Started My Journey
Research, research, and more research! I listened to podcasts and read books about health. Learning about what our bodies can do is truly remarkable as long as you give yourself the building blocks you need to thrive. I hired a functional medicine doctor to help optimize my health. With their guidance, I focused on getting better sleep, eliminating food that had an inflammatory response, and adding food back into my diet that nourishes my body. Following this protocol had an immense effect on my body. I started becoming a morning person; I had more energy, and my mood improved.
For several years now, I’ve implemented this approach to my health, and the process has begun to feel genuinely effortless. Trial and error are expected in the beginning, but staying consistent, even with small changes to your habits, does make a difference.
Optimizing My Metabolic Health
Bloodwork and monitoring your panels are routine tasks when diagnosed with MS. However, I became curious and wanted to explore what else was going on with my body. I was introduced to Functional Health, which offered a whole-body lab test. Once testing is complete, over 100 different tests for your whole body are provided, and the clinical team writes a comprehensive summary of this. This was a game-changer for me, as I now understood my bio-individuality and knew for sure what supplements to take and what diet changes to make.
Based on your results, a detailed summary of foods to eat and avoid is provided, along with supplementation recommendations. The best part is that a clinician will call you directly if any urgent results arise, ensuring you stay informed and empowered to take action. Having the information I needed readily available truly allowed me to focus on my health if I wanted to feel good and live a long life. I was geeking out, and I love this experience so much.
Check this out – Sign up for Functional Health
My Morning Routine
My mornings range from busy to nice and relaxing, depending on the day and whether I’m getting ready for work. In case you missed that, I’m a flight attendant. When I’m home, I start every morning by making my bed. This routine has been essential to my life as it gives me a sense of accomplishing one daily task. Afterwards, I’ll work on my very minimalistic skincare routine, which includes toning my face with Witch Hazel and then applying my Primarily Pure Plumping Serum.
I then make my way downstairs, where I will take a tablespoon, on an empty stomach, of my True Sea Moss. I wanted to incorporate this into my routine since it offers anti-inflammatory effects, immune support, and energy. The flavor I am currently loving is the Immune Support 5-in-1. Then, I’ll have my morning cup of coffee with my Paleovalley Chocolate Bone Broth Protein. I know! This sounds very questionable, but I promise you, it doesn’t taste like bone broth at all. Choosing a healthy protein powder was essential in my healing journey because I wanted clean ingredients that didn’t give my body an inflammatory response.
My Fitness Approach
As I’ve welcomed my fitness journey, I have enjoyed the benefits of staying consistent with my workouts and their effects on my mind and body. I commit to movement daily, whether walking, stretching, or using my Tonal. The best investment I’ve ever made for myself was purchasing a Tonal Machine, hands down. I did not love going to the gym and being around other individuals training. I always felt awkward using the machines because I thought I was doing it wrong.
Taking the leap and making the purchase allowed me to do my workouts in the comfort of my home. With my tonal, I have been incorporating more weightlifting into my workouts. I can set up a four-week workout plan based on which body part I want to target. The smart weight built into the machine is impressive since it can recognize if you are struggling or improving in lifting. Seeing my own progress is wild! When I started this over two years ago, my upper body strength wasn’t where it is today.
Optimizing My Sleep
Living with multiple sclerosis comes with its challenges, and one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is getting quality sleep. But over time, I’ve developed a nighttime routine that helps me get the deep, restorative sleep my body needs.
One of the biggest game-changers in my sleep routine has been Red Light Therapy. This gentle, warm light helps signal to my body that it’s time to wind down. Red light supports melatonin production, reduces inflammation, and helps with muscle recovery—something I desperately need after long days. I use a red light panel about 30 minutes before bed, and it has noticeably improved my ability to fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more refreshed.
What I put on my skin matters just as much as what I put in my body. That’s why I love using Primally Pure skincare products before bed. Their natural, toxin-free ingredients help calm my skin and support my well-being. Applying skincare mindfully has become a form of self-care that signals to my nervous system that it’s time to relax.
My bedroom is my sleep sanctuary. I keep it cool, dark, and quiet, using blackout curtains and a white noise machine to eliminate disruptions. I also avoid blue light at least an hour before bed, opting for warm lighting .
Optimizing sleep is a journey, but these simple habits have made a world of difference for me. By incorporating red light therapy, clean skincare, and a calming environment, I’ve improved the quality of my sleep and how I feel throughout the day.
If you’re struggling with sleep, I encourage you to experiment with different relaxation techniques and find what works best for your body. Sweet dreams!