Wellness Focus

(fitness; health)

Wellness is a dynamic state of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being that can be achieved even in the presence of a chronic illness or disability. The road to wellness is more than just treatment – health promotion, prevention strategies and rewarding leisure activities are equally important. In The Happiness Advantage, author Shawn Achor talks about how simple things – such as daily meditation and exercise – can make a big difference in how we view our surroundings and focus on the positive aspects of life.

From nutrition to exercise to managing fatigue, the following resources may help you focus on wellness in order to live a fulfilling and healthy life affected by MS. Start with a personal call-to-action checklist.

Online

• Connect with others with similar interests and experiences through the Society’s private community at www.MSconnection.org, as well as "Ask an MS Navigator" your questions within the community, or
• With National MS Society wellness, exercise and nutrition resources and  online courses, or
• Identify your fitness personality and act on the results. For example if you’re a “Seeker,” get more focused on exercise so you can stay committed and beat boredom with a variety of exercises.
• With Society Healthy Living and Function, Independence and Mobility resources, because there is more to staying active than walking, or
• With the Society’s video guide to taking control of fatigue, or transcript of a webcast entitled Working Toward Your Best Life: Advances in Quality of Life Research, or
• Make the most of internet search with keywords like “wellness despite chronic illness”

In National MS Society publications like

• Exercise as Part of Everyday Life,
• Food for Thought: MS and Nutrition,
• Fatigue: What You Should Know,
• Stretching for People with MS and Stretching with a Helper for People with MS,
• Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs in MS: An Introduction,
• Minimizing Your Risk of Falls,
• Managing MS Through Rehabilitation,
• Preventative Care Recommendations for Adults with MS, or

In person

• Through the Society’s 50-state network of chapters. Wellness resources like aqua and yoga classes, personal training, other active and support groups (like hiking) and other resources can be found by calling the Society at 800-344-4867 or by searching your local chapter website, or
• Get active recreating and volunteering! Explore new experiences, interests and hobbies, meet a diverse range of people, and be a part of your community. Get Involved with the National MS Society special events, and  visit Can Do MS for additional activities, or
• Get involved locally with organizations like community resource or recreation centers, YMCA, Silver Sneakers and more

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