Healthy living and MS: information resources from the MSIF movement

Last updated: 23rd September 2022

What’s on this page?

    Closing the information gap on healthy living with MS

    In 2018 MSIF set out to identify and address pressing gaps in MS information across the globe to support confident, and informed decision-making. Following a consultation with MSIF’s membership, MS organisations around the world identified eight key areas with an urgent need for clear and trustworthy MS information. One of these priority topics was healthy living and MS, as exercise, nutrition, and healthy habits all play a role in managing MS symptoms. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, this information gap started to close. As restrictions on movement increased, it became crucial for people affected by MS to have essential information on healthy living to try from home.

    Three years on, MS organisations across the world have created an abundance of practical, engaging resources on healthy living with MS – from exercise tutorials with the Italian MS Society, to sleep podcasts with MS Australia. It’s time to celebrate the treasure trove of healthy living resources from the MSIF movement. Read on for tools from MS organisations to help you stay active, eat well and practice mindfulness.

    Getting physical

    Staying active is important for everyone, and people with MS are no exception. Different types of exercise can improve muscle strength, quality of life, cognitive abilities, fatigue and mood in people affected by MS. Regular exercise is recommended to help manage MS symptoms and maintain physical function. Physical activity can always be adapted to suit individual needs. Some recommended workouts for people affected by MS include; strength training, aerobic training, flexibility training and water exercise.

    MS organisations have shared fantastic guides and tips to encourage everyone with MS to stay active. Explore the list below to learn basic training principles from Esclerosis Múltiple España, how to make exercise routine with the National MS Society (USA) and tips for exercising with the help of a caregiver thanks to the UK MS Society.

    Exercise Tutorials

    Explore exercise and MS tutorials for people of all ability levels below. Work your whole body with Scleroseforeningen (the Danish MS Soceity), keep moving with the European MS Platform and level up with the Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla.

    Flexibility training

    For some, lighter activity such as flexibility training may be a more appealing option. Yoga, Pilates and similar practices focus on strength and flexibility to improve physical and mental wellbeing. Many use flexibility training to help manage MS symptoms and relieve stress. Regular practice can make everyday activities easier by improving balance, core strength and flexibility.

    MS organisations know how to take it slow and focus on mobility. Try Tai Chi with the Polskie Towarzystwo Stwardnienia Rozsianego (the Polish MS Society), learn yoga fundamentals with the Japan MS Society and stretch with Esclerosis Multiple Argentina. Following along with these sessions can calm the body and mind, improve strength and balance, and promote overall wellbeing.

    Nutrition and MS

    There are no particular diets that are proven to change the course of MS. However, food provides the essential energy that our bodies need. A well-balanced diet, low in fat and high in fibre, can help stabilise weight and improve bowel health. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet promotes overall physical wellbeing and is important for everyone.

    There is a lot of misinformation about nutrition and MS online, but MS organisations have produced reliable resources to inform people affected by MS about maintaining a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, diet and supplements. Learn all about conscious eating with Esclerosis Múltiple Uruguay, discover delicious and nutritious recipes from the Israel MS Society, find out about nutritional science with the Österreichische Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft (the Austrian MS Society). Check out the resources below to learn more about nutrition and MS.

    Wellness and self-care

    Relaxation and mindfulness are useful tools, frequent practice of relaxation techniques can improve mood and help to manage other MS symptoms such as fatigue. Calm your mind with the Polish MS Society, reflect on your own self-care with Esclerosis Multiple Espana’s evaluation form, and set yourself up for the day with MS Australia. The resources below will allow you to slow down, take a breath and reflect.

    Quality of sleep can also play a role in healthy living for people with MS. Sleep disturbance is more common in people with MS than in the general population and this can make MS symptoms more challenging throughout the day. Learn about how sleep impacts your body with MS Australia, learn tips and tricks for sounder sleep from MS Canada, and find out more about sleep and MS with experts from the National MS Society (USA). The resources below, provide information about sleep techniques to improve overall sleep quality and help you to feel your best.

    For more information and resources about healthy living and quality of life for people affected by MS, you can explore the MS Resource Hub here.

    If you are an MS organisation and are interested in translating, adapting or repurposing any of these resources please do get in touch at info@msif.org.

    Page Tags:

    Our members

    MS International Federation – the only global network of MS organisations.