Stress Less!

Stress Less! –  An Introduction

Let’s be real—stress is everywhere, lurking in the corners of our daily lives like that one relative who overstays their welcome. And when you’re living with MS, stress can feel even heavier, messing with your symptoms and leaving you feeling worn out before the day even starts.

But here’s the thing—while stress isn’t going anywhere, how you handle it can make a huge difference. MS already demands so much from you, so why let stress take up even more space?

That’s why we’re sharing this insightful article from Aurelia Williams, author of Journey to Joy. She knows that stress isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s something that impacts both body and mind. But she also knows that, with the right mindset and some small adjustments, you can start to push back against stress, reclaiming moments of peace and clarity.

Let’s dive in—and stress less.

Stress Less! by Aurelia Williams, author of Journey to Joy

STRESS "Yes, the S word'. Stress is the 'wear and tear' our bodies experience as we adjust to our constantly changing environment. Stress has both physical and emotional effects on us and it can create positive or negative feelings.

As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new consciousness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, insomnia, ulcers and other health problems. As you can see, as we adjust to different situations, stress can either help or hinder us depending on how we react to it.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you shouldn't let things concern you but what I do what to say is that you can slowly begin to reduce the stress in your life.

As women (and it's something I cover extensively with my Journey to Joy Toolkit) we wear many hats and as moms, our hat racks are overflowing. Be sure to recognize stressful situations and take a notice of how you deal with them both mentally and physically.

You remember that saying? If mama' ain't happy, nobody is happy? Well, I tend to agree with it so I am very conscience of the stressful situations that I am confronted with and I am sure to time off when I can to replenish my mind, body, and spirit.

Sit back, relax, and see if you can apply some or all of the action steps below in your life and begin on the road to stress less.

Action steps to stress less

• Write it down: Write down goals, errands, chores, due dates etc and instead of creating just a "To Do" list, keep a "Have Done" list too. Move things from your To Do list to the Have Done list after having completed them. At the end of the day, review how productive you were.
• Express yourself: Unloading your worries and concerns is a terrific way to clear your mind and reduce stress. It's very important not to keep everything inside so try finding a friend or a professional whom you can talk to. You can also write your feelings down in a journal. Moving things out of your head and onto paper can help you release a lot of the inner turmoil you may feeling.
• Don't avoid: If there's something in your life that's causing you to worry; seek out things that will help you feel in control. For instance, if you're suffering from financial problems, try read some books on gaining control of your financial life or seek the help of a financial planner.
• Drink some orange juice: Scientists have discovered that vitamin C can reduce the production of stress hormones. Try Eating an orange, drinking some juice, taking a Vitamin C supplement. Here are a few foods that are rich in vitamin C: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, strawberries, grapefruit and cantaloupe.
• Exercise Studies have shown that taking a brief 10 minute walk during intense times will increase the amount of oxygen to your brain, allowing you to think more clearly and ultimately helping you to make better decisions.
• Give yourself a license to be imperfect: No one is perfect. Give yourself a break. Try to reach a healthy balance between what really needs to be done now and what can wait. Also give yourself permission to ask others for help when you need it.
• Adjustments: Let's face it -- there comes a time when we have to make adjustments. Try to identify your stressors and adjust yourself so that you react differently to them.

Next Steps:

For more help, instantly access Journey to Joy tools for a happier and more fulfilled you. This inspiring eBook with accompanying audio recordings, worksheets and easy-to-apply action steps shows you how to eliminate stress (stress less) and lead a productive and satisfying life.

Update: When updating this page, I was unable to find the original tools page or any current information about Aurelia Williams. If anyone knows how to reach her, contact me here so that I can add her updated links and info if she is still active.

Stress Less! – Summing it up

Stress may not be avoidable, but it’s definitely manageable. And that’s key—especially when MS has a habit of making life extra complicated.

Aurelia’s action steps aren’t about erasing stress overnight (if only it were that easy!), but they offer practical ways to keep stress from running the show. From keeping a “Have Done” list to getting some sunshine and movement, these small tweaks can lighten the load and help you feel more in control.

So, take a deep breath. Let go of perfection. And remind yourself that, even in the chaos, you deserve to feel calm and capable. MS may bring challenges, but you’ve got this—and every little step toward stress relief makes a big difference.

Ready to try some of these techniques? Give them a go and let us know which ones work best for you using the comment form below! Also, here is another article about multiple sclerosis stress management. (Link will open in a new window).

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