2 Personal advocacy begins with self-care. Why? First, you’re demonstrating that youvalue theverythingyou’re fighting forwith personal advocacy–yourself. Second, good self-care will give you the strength and confidence to stand up for your rights. Do you take care of yourself? Most people would say “yes.” They may try to eat right, stay active, and get enough sleep. But is caring for these basic necessities what is meant by “self-care”? No. Managing your health involves a range of needs, from the basic to those that require a professional. At the center of that spectrum is self-care. Think of a car. You may put gas in regularly, turn the headlights off when parked, and avoid road hazards. These are things involved in the basic operation of the vehicle that you must do to keep it running. You may also make time to check the amount of oil and coolant, to ensure the tires have the correct air pressure, or clean the windows and mirrors for good visibility. This is car care – extra steps you can take to keep the vehicle in top condition. And of course, there may be issues that arise that require a professional mechanic. It is similar with your health. You can do a lot, beyond the basic necessities, but without the need for professional care. To do so requires that you make time to assess your particular needs, learn how to address them, create a self-care “treatment plan,” and follow through. Self-care is particularly important for individuals with MS, because there are lifestyle factors that can affect your symptoms, and perhaps even the disease itself. These include nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and treatment adherence. Let’s explore these five facets of good self-care in MS. Self-Care What do these five facets have in common? Among other benefits, good nutrition, exercise, sufficient sleep, stress reduction, and regular use of MS medications have all been shown to help fight inflammation. Inflammation plays a role in MS. While important for everyone, this may be why good self-care in these areas seems to have a significant effect for people with MS. Self-Care: Deliberate action to foster one’s physical, mental, or emotional health and wellness.