Have a Happy Holiday this Summer

December 17, 2024 | MS Voice, News, Newsletter, Symptoms

The festive season is here again, and so are all the exciting and busy times that come along with a traditional kiwi summer.  Aside from the usual holiday stress of juggling family, celebrations, and finances and getting the shopping and cooking done, having MS can add another layer of considerations and potential challenges.  Consider planning for the next couple of months now while some usual services might be reduced by:

• Ensuring you have enough prescription medication to allow for reduced hours during the holiday to access scripts and pharmacies.
• Find out when your regional MS society are on break and plan accordingly, you may wish to get in touch with them if you have concerns that need addressing before the New Year.
• Remember, hospitals and urgent care are still available for issues during the holiday break.

It’s well documented that heat and stress impact on MS symptoms, combined with the prevalence of fatigue, this can make for a challenging holiday season.  Like MS, the holiday season can be different for everyone so it’s important to take a moment to prioritise what’s really important.  This way you can plan so that this season can be the best time for you and those important to you.

Stress isn’t fun for anyone but if you know your MS is impacted, plan ahead and look for ways to have a more relaxing time.  Some things to consider to reduce stress and manage fatigue include:

• Delegate to others, don’t feel you have to do and be everything.
• Schedule breaks in the day and space out social events so you have time to rest and recover.
• Continue your usual health regime. Exercise, healthy eating, and sleep will help manage additional stress and fatigue.
• While this is the season for indulgence, do so in moderation and listen to your body.

Managing heat will also help make this time of year a more enjoyable experience.  While getting hot does not cause damage, it can be very uncomfortable and make MS symptoms worse.  There are several ways to minimize the impact heat has, including:

• Sipping cold drinks throughout the day.
• Using a mist bottle with cold water to spray your face.
• Using a fan to keep cool, small handheld fans are helpful when out and about.
• Take a cool bath or shower.

Take some time now to plan your summer so you can enjoy this time with your friends and family.  This way you can focus on what is most important, find what feels good, and enjoy the season.