MDF Magazine Issue 64 April 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Healthy Livingto use meditation as they are waiting for an appointmentor before falling asleep at night. If used regularly, itbecomes ingrained as a useful daily habit that becomesmuch more automatic and helpful.What do meditation and mindfulness practicesconsist of? How much time is needed to incorporatethese practices into a daily or weekly routine?There are many different types of meditation and mindfulness.Both have the goal of helping us slow down, bemore aware of ourselves and our senses, and turn offour body’s fight-or-flight response (also called our autonomicnervous system response). They promote relaxationand help us pay very close attention to our emotions,thoughts, and whatever else is going on in themoment. Often, they involve exercises and prompts touse skills such as deep breathing or to gently direct ourattention to helpful thoughts or images. Also, meditationand mindfulness encourage a person to use all theirsenses, with the rationale that doing so deepens theexperience and makes it much more powerful.In our age of media and technology, there are abundant“scripts,” YouTube videos, smartphone apps, audio files,and other tools online that are great guides to walk youthrough the process. When done effectively, mindfulnessand meditation naturally evoke positive emotionsand/or physical states to allow an escape from stressor unpleasant physical sensations. For example, if aperson loves skiing and uses guided imagery to thinkdeeply about an exhilarating, bright day on the slopes,that person is essentially creating a state of mind not toodifferent from being there in reality.It is possible to use these strategies as you are goingabout your day without them interfering with anything elseon your schedule. For example, there are ways to walkand to eat mindfully. Rather than devoting large chunksof time to using these skills, I recommend incorporatingthem more frequently throughout the day or week in smallamounts, which requires only a few minutes at a time.What are some good resources for people interestedin meditation?Some popular apps with meditation exercises includeCalm; Headspace; Stop, Breathe & Think; Buddhify; andInsight Timer. There are also podcasts for those whoprefer this format, such as 10% Happier. The ImagineProject and Mindful.org are great websites as well. Inaddition to these, there are numerous books and publicationson the topic.Are there other tools or self-care practices peoplewith chronic illness or disabilities can use to maintaintheir mental health?Relaxation techniques are always useful, such as diaphragmaticbreathing, progressive muscle relaxation,and cognitive-behavioral strategies that involve changingone’s thinking and actions. Cognitive techniques can beused to catch common thinking mistakes, such as catastrophizingand changing one’s thoughts to be morehelpful. And a strategy used to treat depression, and onethat can help prevent depression, is something called“behavioral activation” or “pleasant activity scheduling.”This strategy is just what it sounds like in that it emphasizesthe importance of protecting time for and engagingin positive activities that boost one’s mood. As with physicalhealth, healthy habits in general serve as the foundationfor one’s mental health as well. So, ensure you aregetting good exercise and eating, hydrating, and sleepingwell. Of vital importance is also community support‒ connecting with those who are also affected by NMD.What advice do you have for those living with neuromusculardisease, especially during a difficult timeof change?Above all else, it is important to remember that manyfamilies affected by NMD live fulfilling, happy lives andfind ways to be resilient despite adversity. It is totallynormal to have low moments or even low days in timesof stress, so validating a range of emotions without judgmentand just being a great active listener to those whoare struggling can go a long way. It is important to findsocial support, communicate openly, be willing to try newthings that may help, and try to look out for those “silverlinings” that are often tough to see at first.In addition to supporting a person with an NMD, it isimportant to support and take care of everyone’s mentalhealth within a family. Youth with NMD often are reassuredby developmentally appropriate explanations,opportunities to ask questions, and being given choicesor a sense of control in general. It is important to lookfor ways to boost one’s independence whenever possible.In times of stress, people benefit from structure,routine, and access to pleasant, enjoyable activities thatcan reduce anxiety and maintain a sense of normalcy.Professional mental health services are recommended(and can be extremely helpful) if adjustment or copingconcerns begin to impact one’s overall happiness, relationships,or functioning at school or home.Article available at: https://strongly.mda.org/meditationand-neuromuscular-disease/?fbclid=IwAR3YT29l0Tr1Snh7_qBAVNBgDlihgXvBGDOpR9eEW15bFIfRUS2ML-192RHQ48
Healthy LivingWHAT IS IT LIKE LIVINGWITH DUCHENNEMUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?BY QUINN PHILLIPSMEDICALLY REVIEWED BY JOY TANAKAPUBLISHED ONLINE BY EVERYDAY HEALTHLAST UPDATED JULY 6, 2020Hearing that your child has Duchenne muscular dystrophy‒ a genetic disease, mostly seen in boys and men,that causes muscle function to deteriorate over time ‒can be devastating for parents. You may wonder if yourchild will be able to participate in normal activities, likeschool and play, and about what kind of help they willneed once they can no longer walk easily, or at all.There is no cure for Duchenne, and although there aremany promising potential treatments on the horizon, currentlyapproved treatments can only slow the progressionof the disease, not stop or reverse it. Losing muscle function,and knowing that this process will continue, createsmany practical and emotional challenges for people withDuchenne and their families. But these challenges don’thave to rule out having a fulfilling, meaningful life.Colin Rensch (upper left), Ethan LyBrand (lower left),and Ben Dupree, with his mother, Debbie Dupree(far right). Photos Courtesy of Parent ProjectMuscular Dystrophy and Muscular DystrophyAssociationHere are some of the ways that having Duchennecan complicate life, and how three people who haveDuchenne are adapting to and overcoming thesecomplications.Help and Connection after a Diagnosis of DuchenneMuscular DystrophyWhen the parents of Ethan LyBrand, age 10, learned justbefore his second birthday that he had Duchenne, it wasa devastating shock, even though they had observed49
Page 1 and 2: MAGAZINEAutumn Issue 64April 202125
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTSMDF MAGAZINEMD Information1
Page 5 and 6: MDF Notice BoardSubscription and co
Page 7 and 8: MDF merchandisePlease email your or
Page 9 and 10: By Erica ZahnPublished online byPat
Page 11 and 12: MD Informationthis when exercising:
Page 13 and 14: MD InformationIn summary:What type
Page 15 and 16: MD Information25 QUESTIONS ABOUT FS
Page 17 and 18: MD Informationin mild degree with F
Page 19 and 20: MD Informationsatisfactory medical
Page 21 and 22: MD Informationplace where nerve cel
Page 23 and 24: MD Informationbetween nerves and mu
Page 25 and 26: TRAVELprofile interrupted only by l
Page 27 and 28: PEOPLEVOICE FROM THE WHEELCHAIRBy R
Page 29 and 30: PEOPLEreach a certain age. But I be
Page 31 and 32: PEOPLEthe dudes sat down to talk ab
Page 33 and 34: PEOPLEKyle: The topics are really w
Page 35 and 36: Against this backdrop, how do we co
Page 37 and 38: It's the bits in between that areof
Page 39 and 40: Doctor’s ColumnProf Amanda Krause
Page 41 and 42: ‒ but it doesn’t have to be spo
Page 43 and 44: RESEARCHSCIENTISTS EDGE CLOSERTO TR
Page 45 and 46: Healthy LivingStill, based on the e
Page 47: Healthy LivingMEDITATION ANDNEUROMU
Page 51 and 52: Healthy Livingclinical trial for a
Page 53 and 54: KZN BRANCH NEWSKZN Gets its WheelsT
Page 55 and 56: Gauteng Branch NewsShe spent the la

MDF Magazine Issue 64 April 2021

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

Delete template?

Save as template?