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Stress and multiple sclerosis seem at times to go hand in
hand.
Studies have shown that stressful life events can trigger
exacerbations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (rrms).
Some additional studies appear to indicate a high correlation
between stress and the development of multiple sclerosis.
This means that it is important to recognize the role that stress
can play in your life.
Clearly, it is impossible to avoid stress completely; however, it
is not impossible to limit your exposure to stress and
equally as important, to modify your responses to stressful
situations.
Limiting your exposure to stress
To try to crystallize how you can limit
your exposure to stress, ask yourself the following questions:
"Am I a
perfectionist?"
"Do I set
unattainable goals for myself?"
"Do I push myself
beyond my limits?"
Sound familiar? If you
answered 'yes' to any of the above, then you are adding unnecessary
stress to your life. Stress which can easily be avoided.
You must make the choice.
Only you know when you are increasing your stress levels
unnecessarily and only you can make the choice not to do so.
Dusting and polishing can
wait. So can vacuuming the carpet, getting to the shops, finishing
the decorating in a day, or any of the thousand other things I'm
sure you can think of, that if you take a mental step backwards from
the situation, you realize can wait.
Stress Management
Many people find that performing yoga helps them to be better able
to manage stress. Some studies have found that people who use yoga
as a means of
relaxation, have less
cognitive dysfunction than those who do nothing to manage
stress.
Whether you choose yoga,
or some other means of relaxation, such as listening to your
favorite music, gentle exercises, or some other hobby, what is most
important regarding stress management, is that you make some time
for yourself.
Not yourself getting the ironing finished. Not
yourself finishing the decorating. Making time for
yourself is just that. Even if it is only 20 minutes out of
every day, a little relaxation time reserved exclusively for you
will help prevent stress building up and causing problems.
Getting out of the trench
"Huh? What trench?" I hear you ask.'Getting out of the
trench' refers to all of the habits you have developed over the
years which have ensured you have difficulty letting go of stress.
Those little things you do to keep your stress levels up.
There was a time when keeping your stress levels up was
advantageous to you because it helped you to get the job done or
gave you the drive to push through the weariness. Sometimes the
only way to get things done was to ensure that your stress
levels were high.
As a coping mechanism, you have learned to artificially enhance
your levels of stress.
This was in the past. Habits you have unconsciously developed
over the years to counteract fatigue or
brain fog;
or both.
These little habits and techniques, which you have so carefully,
if unknowingly, developed throughout your life, run very deep. Your
position is entrenched in old habits.
Which is why you must make a conscious effort to keep clear of
entrenched old habits. That way, you avoid pushing
yourself to break-point instead of waiting until you have already
reached it.
If you need help to relax, try my
relaxation technique.
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