Exercise
Does the thought of exercising with MS seem difficult to you? You may think that you are too tired, too weak, or have too much pain. You might not know how to exercise with your limitations. Or you may worry that being more active might make you feel worse. These are all valid concerns, but paradoxically, being more active may have the opposite effect. Over time, regular physical activity can have enormous health benefits in addition to helping you manage your MS. Keeping yourself healthy provides a stronger foundation for managing MS.
Benefits of regular exercise include:
- Helping you sleep better
- Reducing your pain and fatigue
- Improving your cognitive function (thinking ability)
- Better balance and mobility
- Better mood
A note for family and friends
You can help with exercise
Many people with MS are not active. They may not know what to do, what they can do, or how to start. Here are some tips that may help people become more active:
- Help identify activities they enjoy
- Encourage them to track their progress, using the My MS Toolkit work sheets
- Let them know that you would like to help them deal with concerns
- Help them create a good balance between rest and activity, using the Activity Pacing tips in this module
- Being physically active and exercising is important to everyone’s health – including yours! In addition to encouraging the person you care for to exercise, be sure to take care of your own health. You may be able to find physical activities that you enjoy together, such as taking walks or doing stretching or yoga together.
Resources
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the MS Society of Canada websites have many practical resources for people with MS who are interested in exercising. These resources provide not only information but also links to webinars, exercise videos, adapted exercises, and other programs to help you in your goal of increasing activity.
National MS Society – Exercise
National MS Society – Intro to MS for Fitness Professionals