Living Well

Living Well

6 Tips for Setting Nutrition Goals When You Live with a Chronic Condition

6 Tips for Setting Nutrition Goals When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Living Well

Chop, chop: Prep Now for Easier Holiday Cooking with MS

Keeping it simple saves time, energy, and strength.

Living Well

Building a Better Life with MS — with LEGOs

LEGOs now come in sets aimed at adults, and working on them helps my memory, problem-solving, fine motor ability, and stress.

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Can Virtual Reality Help Life with MS?

Virtual reality headsets offer creative new ways to exercise, socialize and escape from monotony. Emerging research shows they may also help with some MS symptoms.

Living Well

The Importance of Being a Hustle Culture Dropout When You’re Chronically Ill

The constant pressure to go-go-go took a toll on both my physical and mental health. Then I realized I could opt out.

Living Well

Living Alone with Multiple Sclerosis

I lived alone long before I had MS. Then my diagnosis changed everything.

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Mindset Matters: Who Am I with Chronic Illness? Acceptance and Letting Go

Mindset Matters is a space to learn about the mental and emotional aspects of living with chronic illness. Nat Kelley, a certified life and mindset coach, shares how coming to terms with her ulcerative colitis diagnosis was hard, but it allowed her to build a more compassionate relationship with herself.

Living Well

The Mindflight Journal: A Journal for Chronic Illness

Meet Nicole and Aisley, the mom and daughter partnership behind the Mindflight Journal. Building from their own experiences, they've designed a journal for those living with chronic illnesses. Trust me, it's a game-changer.

Living Well

Gratitude Changed My Life with MS

MS takes so much from us, but I’ve learned to focus on the many things I still have to be grateful for — and that has made me a much happier person.

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How to Host a Holiday Party with Style While Living with MS

Being the host actually makes it easier on you. Here's what you need to know.

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5 Spring Cleaning Hacks for Life with MS

Spring cleaning takes even more energy than the weekly chore list. But with some planning and the right approach, you can still reap the rewards of a deep clean while living with MS.

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Should You Disclose Your Diagnosis at Work?

The decision of whether or not to share your chronic condition diagnosis with an employer or potential employer is personal. Here's my story and some things to consider as you make the choice.

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Ask Ardra Anything: Can Riding Horses Help My MS?

Hippotherapy involves using horses to promote balance, posture, and more.

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Consistency Is Overrated

Consistency helps us feel safe and reduces anxiety. But it also can create unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to redefine consistency (and success) so you’re OK with the ebbs and flows of life.

Living Well

Your Holiday Gift Guide for Spoonies, by Spoonies

These gift ideas, from seven small businesses run by people living with chronic conditions, will help make this holiday season even more festive.

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MS Ambassador Gains Perspective on Slowing Down to Live More Meaningfully

Bezzy MS Ambassador Leisa talks about her diagnosis and journey living with MS.

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5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Own Needs When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Taking time to focus on your own needs isn’t selfish — it’s responsible and necessary.

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10 Fun Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp with MS

More than half of people with MS will experience MS-related cognitive changes at some point. The good news is that anyone can increase their cognitive skills, and investing in cognitive health is not only fun, but the payoff is rewarding.

Living Well

Ask Ardra Anything: What Are Your Best Tips for Traveling with a Mobility Aid?

Traveling with a disability requires extra planning and patience, but you can still feed your wanderlust.

Living Well

Realistic Approaches to Setting Resolutions When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Living with a chronic condition often means working within your body’s parameters, which can mean editing your expectations. Always give yourself grace and remember that your New Year’s resolutions — if you choose to set them — don’t have to “match” anyone else’s. They only have to feel helpful to you.

Living Well

How I Created Flexible, Remote Work While Living with a Chronic Illness

I was productive, I had purpose, and I was bringing in an income, all while taking good care of myself.

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5 Ways to Sleep Better with Multiple Sclerosis

Rest up and feel better tomorrow with these specialist- and research-supported strategies for better sleep

Living Well

Healthy Tips for Remote Workers with MS

Working from home has so many benefits for folks with MS, but cabin fever isn't one of them. Here's how to stay healthy in body and mind this winter.

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How to Serve Others Even If You Have MS

Giving back to others can make us feel less alone with our disease. Here’s how to perform acts of service even when you have physical limitations.

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Don’t Have the Energy for Zoom Happy Hours Right Now? Me Neither, and That’s OK

It can be hard to ignore internet pressure to have a “productive pandemic.”

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Working from Bed Isn’t Lazy — It’s Accessible

As a disabled person, working from bed makes it possible for me to have a job.

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The Value of Pursuing Hobbies When You’re Living with a Chronic Illness

Finding activities that you’re passionate about and can enjoy despite your condition can lead to a richer life.

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How Chronic Illness Helped Me Cultivate Better Reading Habits

Through bibliotherapy I've learned that books can offer greater insight and healing than I ever imagined, as long as I pay attention.

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A Digital Nomad’s Favorite Tips for Managing Travel Safely with MS

Traveling safely with MS may take some additional effort and planning, but I find it's always worth it in the end.

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15 Tips for Better Holidays with Multiple Sclerosis

The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, but especially those of us living with MS. But you deserve to enjoy this season.

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What Growing My Own Food Has Taught Me About Living Intentionally While Navigating MS

Sustainable living not only helped me improve my health with multiple sclerosis, it also brought community and a sense of purpose.

Living Well

How to Set and Achieve Your Goals with Chronic Illness

Managing your chronic illness on top of life's everyday tasks can be overwhelming. These tips can help you find the motivation and inspiration you need to reach your goals.

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Planning an Event? Here Are 6 Reasons It Really Needs to Be Accessible

Not only is it the law, but planning an ADA-compliant event shows you care about people living with disabilities.

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How the Spoon Theory Helps Me Explain My Health

It can be hard to explain the way that a chronic condition impacts your daily energy. The spoon theory is a clever way to help get the point across.

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7 Things I Learned Using Medical Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis

When used appropriately, medical cannabis has the potential to reduce the intensity of some MS symptoms, and many people report a considerable improvement in their quality of life.

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The Benefits of Being Vulnerable

Allowing someone to see you as you truly are with your disease may help you feel more connected — and may help others more than you know.

Living Well

I Tried Aqua Aerobics for MS: Here’s How It Went

Monica Lynne describes her experience taking the plunge into an aqua aerobics class for the first time, and how the low impact movement helped her exercise comfortably with MS.

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The Day My Life with MS Changed for the Better

For 13 years before I was diagnosed with MS, I couldn't stand or walk for long or far enough to enjoy many of life’s simple pleasures — or necessities. After 3 years of taking Ocrevus, my abilities and gratitude improved drastically.

Living Well

From Grounded to Globetrotting: How I Became a Digital Nomad While Living with MS

I had long dreamed of becoming a digital nomad, but my existing medication schedule was prohibitive. Then I discovered twice-yearly infusions.

Living Well

A Public Health Crisis: Preventing Loneliness in Chronic Illness

Loneliness is more prevalent than ever in the U.S. — and people with chronic illness are likely familiar with it. Here's how to stay socially connected even when symptoms or flare-ups get in your way.

Living Well

Moving with MS: How Short Bursts of Exercise Invigorate My Body and Mind

I never thought that the dusty kettlebell in the corner of my basement would be the answer to enjoying exercise again.

Living Well

5 Tips for Safe Backcountry Adventures When You’re Living with a Chronic Condition

Wherever you're starting out on your outdoor recreation journey, these five tips from experienced, outdoorsy chronic illness warriors will help you find your way.

Living Well

How I MS-Proofed My Phone

Multiple sclerosis makes my hands fumble a lot. Which means I kept dropping my phone, and putting both my phone and myself at risk for damage. I found some accessories and best practices to help prevent that.

Living Well

How Sewing Has Enriched My Quality of Life While Living with MS

Motivated by her desire to contribute to home renovations, Ashley took up sewing, an MS-friendly activity that became her favorite pastime.

Living Well

MS Can’t Stop Me from Gardening

Manage your symptoms and keep growing with these 7 tips.

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I’m a Patient Getting Paid — and You Can Be Too

In this column, Kathy Reagan shares advice, resources, and stories to help others navigate the world of work while living with a chronic illness.

Living Well

Gardening Is My Mindfulness Practice of Choice — Here’s Why

Watching my plants grow and bloom, as well as the benefits of grounding, are just some of the ways gardening teaches me to be more mindful for my chronic illness.

Living Well

The Importance of Staying in the Moment When You Live with MS

MS can stoke fears about the future, but the key to living successfully with MS is to stay in the present

Living Well

Dancing with MS

At one point, multiple sclerosis seemed to threaten my ability to dance. Now, it's an essential part of my physical and mental wellness.

Living Well

Take Time Out For Self-Care with MS

September is Self-Care Awareness Month. What will you do to prioritize your own needs?

Living Well

You Were Just Diagnosed with MS. Now What?

You'll get lots of advice from well-meaning people, but remember to prioritize your own needs.

Living Well

Gadgets and Apps to Make Life with MS Easier

Use this guide to find gifts for yourself or others with MS.

Living Well

9 Ways to Make Long-Haul Quarantine More Sustainable

These tips may help add some ease to your quarantined days.

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Winter Can Be Difficult for People with MS. Here’s What You Need to Know

Many people complain about winter, but it can be a particularly challenging time for those who live with chronic conditions like MS.

Living Well

12 Ways to Get Involved This MS Awareness Month

Whatever you do — or don't do — what's important is that it feels right to you.

Living Well

Ask Ardra Anything: Do I Need a Mobility Device?

There's no roadmap for entering the confusing world of mobility aids, and so many of us with multiple sclerosis struggle with this.

Living Well

Ask Ardra Anything: When Should I Disclose My MS Diagnosis at Work?

Multiple sclerosis is not something to be ashamed of, but the choice of when or if to share is entirely yours.

Living Well

How ASMR Can Benefit People with Chronic Illness

If you live with a chronic illness, ASMR may help you feel relaxed, comforted, or even relieved from chronic pain. But triggers aren't the same for everyone.

Living Well

How Movement Became My Medicine

I was only 4 years old when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Slowly but surely I started to understand the consequences of missing playtime and not moving my body.

Living Well

Creative Writing for a Better Life with MS

Creative writing provides an outlet for untangling thoughts and emotions, feeling a greater sense of control, sharing lived experience with others, and even helps relieve some MS symptoms.

Living Well

17 Great Chronically Ill and Disabled Content Creators to Follow

There are countless chronic condition and disability advocates on social media committed to spreading awareness and breaking down stigma. Here are 17 who are making an incredible impact.