It's SUNday. A beautiful day here in San Diego with the sun pouring out its healing energy. I feel so lucky to get to live where the sun shines so much. When I lived in Cleveland (first 27 years of my life) I would get depressed over the last few months of each LONG winter. I would crave sun intensely. I would go to Florida for spring break with an absolute drive for the sun, its warmth and light. Once when a close friend and I went on a spring break drive south, we ended up fighting in a hotel room when the sky refused to reveal the sun and rain was our constant companion. I still go a bit crazy here during "June Gloom". I feel for my northern US and Canadian and other "latitudinally challenged" comrades with MS who face a definite challenge finding the healing light of the sun.
Sun is really important in MS. Vitamin D(the nutrient we associate with sunshine) is really helpful in MS patients as well as many health conditions. There is really good research supporting this concept.I always wonder if the other "things" that happen when the sun's rays are absorbed into the skin are helpful above and beyond the oral supplementation. I have always told patients who were in my opinion were depressed, low energy,and depleted that sun (along with exercise, touch, social connection, and many behavioral and nutritional approaches) is a vital precursor for serotonin(the chief modulator of emotion). I learned this From Dr. Candace Pert a neuroscientist who studies neuro peptides. She wrote a book called "Molecules of Emotion" which captures what an individual can do for him or herself to work with negative emotional states(raise serotonin levels naturally). Yes, medicines do this too but having "internal" power is another layer of strength and a path to greater health and vitality.
This also explains why exercise is so vital to MS patients. Serotonin is an absolutely vital ingredient to an MS patient's routine. My mood and body state are intimately linked with the "feel good" hormones that are released with exercise. It really does not matter what I do whether it be swimming, biking, yoga, weights, aerobics, walking, etc. The only thing that is important is doing something consistently. Using the body in some way for motion and energy production. It is SO much harder to do when pain or struggle are constant companions but it is every bit as important(probably more).
It is interesting how quickly my thoughts and writing drift to giving advice. I guess it protects me from talking about me. It is much easier for me to coach and motivate others than to do the same for myself. Fortunately, I do like to exercise and be outside under the sun's rays. It is a major driving force in my life -- always has been. More fortunately, I have been given a second chance at being active and moving with energy and vigor. Thank you Dr. Zamboni for the healing wave you have created that I was fortunate enough to ride. Thank you God for the light and warmth of the sun -- let it shine to the northern reaches now that winter is over and spring is arriving!
Sun is really important in MS. Vitamin D(the nutrient we associate with sunshine) is really helpful in MS patients as well as many health conditions. There is really good research supporting this concept.I always wonder if the other "things" that happen when the sun's rays are absorbed into the skin are helpful above and beyond the oral supplementation. I have always told patients who were in my opinion were depressed, low energy,and depleted that sun (along with exercise, touch, social connection, and many behavioral and nutritional approaches) is a vital precursor for serotonin(the chief modulator of emotion). I learned this From Dr. Candace Pert a neuroscientist who studies neuro peptides. She wrote a book called "Molecules of Emotion" which captures what an individual can do for him or herself to work with negative emotional states(raise serotonin levels naturally). Yes, medicines do this too but having "internal" power is another layer of strength and a path to greater health and vitality.
This also explains why exercise is so vital to MS patients. Serotonin is an absolutely vital ingredient to an MS patient's routine. My mood and body state are intimately linked with the "feel good" hormones that are released with exercise. It really does not matter what I do whether it be swimming, biking, yoga, weights, aerobics, walking, etc. The only thing that is important is doing something consistently. Using the body in some way for motion and energy production. It is SO much harder to do when pain or struggle are constant companions but it is every bit as important(probably more).
It is interesting how quickly my thoughts and writing drift to giving advice. I guess it protects me from talking about me. It is much easier for me to coach and motivate others than to do the same for myself. Fortunately, I do like to exercise and be outside under the sun's rays. It is a major driving force in my life -- always has been. More fortunately, I have been given a second chance at being active and moving with energy and vigor. Thank you Dr. Zamboni for the healing wave you have created that I was fortunate enough to ride. Thank you God for the light and warmth of the sun -- let it shine to the northern reaches now that winter is over and spring is arriving!
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