MSWA Bulletin Spring 16

More documents

Recommendations

Info

FIVE TIPS FOR GETTING A MENTAL HEALTH BOOST FOR PEOPLE WITH MS LISA MARSHALL Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. It is by no means a rare condition, yet it can make daily life stressful and overwhelming. Maintaining mental health is very important for all people but maybe even more so for those with a physical ailment. Here are some ways to help improve your mental health and positive outlook when you’re living with multiple sclerosis. 1 2 3 Find a support network When no one around you truly understands what it’s like to have MS, your mental well-being can suffer. Finding an MS support group puts you in contact with people who may have been dealing with the effects of MS longer than you, or are experiencing similar challenges. These groups offer advice, support, and empathy which can be hard to find in loved ones who do not fully understand the impact of MS. Support groups do not necessarily have to meet in person. With the unlimited connections the Internet provides, online support groups are also a suitable and equally beneficial alternative for many people who are living with this ailment. Meditate regularly Meditation has been shown to both improve mental health and lessen chronic pain. Additionally, regular meditation can result in a more positive outlook and decreased stress levels. Learning to meditate without guidance can be a challenge, but with the rise of meditation in mainstream culture, it’s likely you have a knowledgeable instructor near you. You can also turn to online guided tutorials to learn how to meditate properly from the comfort of your home. Find a form of exercise that works for you Though exercise with MS can prove difficult, simply being outdoors can improve your mindset. If possible, exercise provides added endorphins which have been shown to benefit mood. Even mild exercise such as a relaxed hike along a well-kept trail will work as an excellent mental health break. It’s difficult to be negative when surrounded by beautiful scenery, particularly if you make outings a part of your regular routine. Another great form of exercise for people with MS is swimming. Spending some time in the pool, whether you’re doing leisurely-paced laps or water walking, provides a great cardio workout while being easy on the joints. Play games for your memory Memory loss is a fairly common symptom of MS, which can be both debilitating and frustrating. The ability to recall information is a key component to independence, which is something no one wants to lose. Playing games meant to maintain memory can help eliminate the aggravation of forgetfulness. Remember the positives in your life Making a list of things you love, appreciate, and are grateful for can be a useful prop for bad days. Taking the time to remember how many things you have to be happy about is often one of the most mentally helpful activities a person can do. Pin the list somewhere you see it regularly and don’t be afraid to add to it. Positivity plays an enormous role in mental health and while it can be difficult to maintain, having a physical reminder or motivation, like a list, can help. Some studies are even showing that a positive outlook can improve your physical health alongside your mental wellbeing. Giving in to frustration can be easy, but remembering to care for your mental health and overall well-being is an important part of living. MS may mean more physical difficulties but it does not have to affect your mental health. With support, beneficial routines, and a positive outlook, you can live a more fulfilling life. Lisa Marshall wanted to start AussieWell.net after meeting some of her long-distance online friends on a trip. Being from the States, they had a lot of ‘typical’ questions about living in Australia, and so Lisa decided to provide a newcomer’s guide, a go-to for any and all info on moving to or living in the country. Now that she invests a lot of time in her site, she continues to think about the safety, wellness, and overall lifestyle advice she can spread to Aussies and their visitors. Online resources: artofliving.org/au-en/benefits-meditation-0 intheswim.com/eGuides/burning-calories-in-the-pool 4 5 12 | MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2016
DR GOOGLE – TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE? LIESL MURDOCH, MSWA COUNSELLOR Which of you reading this article would put your hand up if asked, “Have you googled MS?” I imagine that most of you would. And you would not be alone in answering in the affirmative. In fact, recent research suggests that 8 out of 10 internet users have looked online for health information and that 66% of these searches were related to a specific disease or medical problem. 1 Information found on the net can be helpful. It can increase your knowledge about MS, its possible causes, current and future drug treatments and help with symptom control and management. This new found knowledge can also improve your communication with health professionals, assist you to make better, more informed decisions regarding your care and provide you with a sense of control and mastery over this often unpredictable illness. However, access to this digital library is not without its pitfalls. Entering ‘multiple sclerosis’ into the google search engine will, in 0.41 seconds, produce a staggering 21,200,000 results! But are all these entries verified and accurate? Regrettably not, for much of what is on the net is unverified, inaccurate and often contradictory. It is an urban myth that all that is written on the web has its foundations in honesty and integrity. So how does one decide what is reputable? This can be done by following a few simple guidelines. Visit reputable websites Sites ending in edu.au, gov.au and org.au will take you to dependable Australian websites e.g. mswa.org.au • edu – pertains to an educational site such as a university • gov – government bodies • org – prominent health organisation American sites: use the above but drop off the ‘au’ UK sites: replace ‘au’ with ‘uk’. Look at the credentials of the author • Articles written by people who are specialists in their fields will post their qualifications and usually supply an address for correspondence. • Thorough academic research is usually undertaken by a team of researchers so multiple authors suggest the information may be of greater quality and reliability. • ‘Testimonials’ may give a personal edge to a story but one person’s experience cannot be broadly applied across a greater population. Look at the date of publication • It’s hard to believe but the internet has been around for over 20 years so the more recent the date of publication the better. Look at what type of language is being used • Academic information is often presented using formal/ scholarly language. • Simplified language and sweeping generalisations or claims can infer a lack of accurate and plausible research and information. Does the site feature online/interactive ‘click on here’ ads? • Often, less reputable sites have ads which make unreasonable promises. e.g. “lose 10 kg in 10 days”. Such ads would suggest the accuracy of featured information may also be as improbable. • Ads also suggest the web page would not be in existence without them. Reputable sources have large organisations and corporations funding their websites. Avoid sites that require payment for information Payment for information implies that someone is trying to make money from the site and their motives in sharing their information may be less than noble. Navigating the web for solid and accurate information can be a daunting task but it can be done. By using these guidelines, you can increase the integrity of the information you are reading. The main thing to remember is to be selective in what you browse through and take on board. Dr Google should be seen as a complementary tool to your MS management and not the principal source of information and understanding about MS. The internet can assist you but it cannot be an adequate substitute for the knowledge and clinical guidance by your doctor and other health professionals involved in your care. Don’t forget the MSWA Health Team can help source trusted articles, links and verify information for you. Contact us on 9365 4888 or via our website mswa.org.au 1 www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/2011/PIP_Health_Topics.pdf MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2016 | 13
Page 1 and 2: BULLETIN THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF M
Page 3 and 4: Letter from the Editor DR GREG BROT
Page 5 and 6: A message from the General Manager
Page 7 and 8: Just one in 1,000 people with MS ha
Page 9 and 10: That certainly seems a more compreh
Page 11: Eating Well Healthy eating and an a
Page 15 and 16: PURCHASING EQUIPMENT? WE RECOMMEND
Page 17 and 18: muMS GROUP - A SHARED SPACE TO TALK
Page 19 and 20: ut depending on the approach, the e
Page 21 and 22: ANYWHERE WITH COLIN ROS HARMAN, SUP
Page 23 and 24: Don’t let a little dispute injure
Page 25 and 26: FUNDRAISING ROUNDUP MEGA HOME LOTTE
Page 27 and 28: I would also like to thank all the
Page 29 and 30: SOUTH WEST Regional Round Up The la
Page 31 and 32: ALBANY OUTREACH NEWS CAROLINE CLARK

MSWA Bulletin Spring 16

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?