Taking care of yourself is super important! The only problem is, that following any tips can feel like a big effort, especially with MS, and on days like today, where it’s so hot! Even Dizzy has been wilting… So that is why Dizzy and I have come up with these quick and easy tips for helping to take care of yourself! And they only take a small amount of time and energy to do. 🙂
Firstly, Don’t Ignore The Signs!
You know you’re body better than anyone. So, if things aren’t feeling quite right, however small, it is always worth just popping to the doctors to get things checked out.
Secondly, Keep Active
It’s really important to keep active, especially when it comes to managing a chronic illness. Just doing small bite sized chunks, such as chair yoga or a little weight training, can make all the difference. 🙂
Thirdly, Take Precautions Where Possible
This can cover a wide range of activities, such as eating healthily and stopping smoking. We can’t prevent everything, and you can then use devices to improve your overall sense of wellbeing with hearing aids and walking aids (to name a couple), but it is nice to do what we can to keep ourselves as fit and healthy for as long as possible. 🙂
Fourthly, Drink Sensibly
Drinking sensibly is super important. On days like today, it means drinking lots and lots of water! Dizzy has been given strict instruction to drink on and off all day. Not want any dehydrated donkeys! But it also means to be a little careful with the amount of alcohol you drink too. A little is fine, but I draw the line at drunk donkeys.
Fifthly, Eat Healthy…
…most of the time. We all like little snacks, and I think you’d be taking your life into your own hands telling Dizzy that she would not be allowed anymore ginger nut biscuits, but healthy foods are full of vitamins and minerals, which are vital for our bodies.
Sixthly, Take Vitamin D
Especially if you live in a colder country, or have MS. One billion people are estimated to have levels of Vitamin D which are too low! It has also been proven to reduce the rate of relapses in people with MS. Dizzy takes hers every day. 🙂
Seventhly, Look After Your Mental Wellbeing Too
Mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical wellbeing. Take time throughout the day to relax, do things which you enjoy and have the odd nap. 🙂
We hope that you’ve found these useful. 🙂 What are your top, quick tips for helping to look after yourself? xxx
Play with my fur babies. They make me laugh. Get at least one chore done today. Now I am happy and productive.
Fur babies help everything! 🙂 And well done for getting one chore done today. That’s more than I’ve managed. xxx
Such good tips. Drinking water in hot weather is so important. I also have electrolyte water that I drink after riding. It helps me recover better.
I have heard of electrolyte water, but what exactly is it? I am just starting to learn how to do the standing trot now too! It’s quite tricky! xxx
There are a lot of different electrolyte powders you can add to water for hot weather They have salts, and some have sugar others have branch chain amino acids. I would suggest you speak with someone at a health food store that is reputable and get some advice on which one would be best for you.
Thanks for some outstanding tips Heather and Dizzy! I had to laugh at number 4, because I could just see Dizzy on her back with all fours in the air because she’d had too much to drink.😁 Of course, I know Dizzy would be moderate in her drinking and that wouldn’t happen to her…. You make such a great point that our mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical wellbeing. We have to take care of all aspects of our wellness. Sending hugs to you both!
Hehe, I’m not so sure. Those donkeys can be very naughty. I wouldn’t put it past them… 🙂 And I think so too. It’s taking care of all of ourselves. 🙂 Sending big donkey hugs! 🙂 xxx
thank you for the helpful hints……….now I need to go take my vitamin D. 🙂 with water!
🙂 I now have the spray, which I do find easier to take. 🙂 x I do have to keep it out though, otherwise I forget! xxx
spray is a great idea! 🙂
I have lots of fans going during the heat, Holland doesn’t really do AC. Shades are drawn and plenty of water at my side.
Fans can be lifesavers in the really hot weather. 🙂 xxx
Well said
Thank you Thomas. 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much for sharing so much important information! As always, I appreciate your incredible tips and I know they are going to be very helpful!
Thank you Alyssa! 🙂 How is everything going with you? xxx
You my dear are more than welcome! I am doing okay, I am just dealing with many headaches lately. Overall though, I am fine. How are you and Dizzy? xxx
Are they able to do anything for the headaches? x And we’re doing well. Just on holiday this week, which is nice and relaxing. 🙂 We’re in the New Forest, so Dizzy is looking out for some fellow donkey friends. xxx
I am not so sure the doctors can do much about the headaches, but then again it has been a while since I brought it up. I am waiting until I see the new doctor and I hope she will be a lot better than the current one! I hope y’all are enjoying your holiday week! I am excited to learn what Dizzy finds!! xxx
When do you get to see the new doctor? I so hope she is better, and is able to offer more help. xxx
I will meet the new doctor in November and she has to be better than the last one!!! xx
Let me know how it goes with her. ❤
I definitely will let you know! I am hoping this new doctor will have a more pleasant demeanor than the last one! xxx
Sometimes taking care of ourselves means indulging in a special treat, too! Just sayin’…
😉
I completely agree with you! And so does Dizzy. 🙂 xxx
Love Dizzy’s tips!
Thank you Camie! 🙂 xx
You’re welcome!
A little goes a long way with taking care of yourself. A drunk Dizzy, that made me chuckle 😂Your first point about getting checked out if something isn’t quite right feels like it was just the right time for me to read it; I’ve noticed something a little odd (granted, most things about me & my health are odd!) but I didn’t want to see the doctor about yet another new problem. I will have to book in, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Wonderful tips as always, Heather & Dizzy! ♥
Caz xx
Did you book in to see your doctor? It is really hard, especially when your body is constantly doing odd little chronic things anyway! But it is always worth just checking. I hope it is all ok. 🙂 xxx
These are great tips Heather and no eating fermented berries if you’re a donkey as you don’t want to end up braying at the top of your lungs and causing a scene. 🙂
Hehe, I can just see Dizzy doing something like that!! 🙂 How have you been? Is Parker still being his usual cute squirrelly self? 🙂 xxx
Yes Dizzy would do that definitely. Parker is still his cute and squirrelly self though I did not see any squirrels this morning, even though it was a gorgeous and refreshing morning out. They must have slept in. He is always in the lead coming over to visit and get peanuts and all the squirrels have been hiding peanuts for at least a month. That tells me that they expect the Winter to be as bad as the “Farmer’s Almanac” says it will be – 7 major snowfalls – ugh. I have been really busy at work now going on three months – good for business but it seems the Summer just flew by. Hope you are doing well Heather as you get ready to ease into Fall.
Aww, nothing wrong with a little squirrel lie in. 🙂 And they are now predicting our coldest winter for 30 years here! I hope not! Dizzy has trouble keeping her little ears warm. xxx
Oh no as to the cold Winter Heather – I am no fan of Winter. Hate to drive in snow and won’t go out in the car any more than necessary in it. The ice was bad here last Winter, as we had repeated ice storms leaving everything in an icy glaze. Your coldest Winter in 30 years – better start looking for earmuffs for Dizzy now! “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” predicts we will have seven snowstorms and two Polar Vortex events … I think we should just hibernate all Winter.
Dizzy and I will join you for hibernation. 🙂 xxx
Sounds like a plan Heather – the snow and ice are no friend of mine either. The cold I can deal with because you’re just uncomfortable, but it is not deadly and you can dress for it.
Wonderful tips, Dizzy! I reached for a glass of water as I was reading these 🙂
Thank you Lindsay. 🙂 xxx
Great tips! I think I would also add (for me!) not to try and do more than yo actually can! Sometimes I try and be a little too independent when I should admit that i need help xxx
I think we all do that at times. I know I do. Or I have half an hour when I suddenly feel fine, and then over do it! 🙂 I’m so glad it was such good news today with your scan results!! 🙂 xxx
Thank you both for all your great tips. I did not know that about Vitamin D. D3 with all the Omegas helps my fibromyalgia symptoms. I would not be without it.
Vitamin D can help with so many things! And it is hard to get enough with our temperamental weather. They’re now saying it’s going to be the worst winter in 30 years; I’m hoping it won’t be quite that bad! xxx
Goodness. I hope not! xxx
Dizzy knows what’s up! haha
It’s true! 🙂 xxx