b'after starting a new medication, schedule an appointment to discuss this concern with your healthcare team. The goal of the physical domain is to help your physical body achieve a lifestyle in which you feel independent. Each MS diagnosis is different at every stage; therefore, what your physical body may have felt at the initial time of diagnosis may be different than what you are feeling now. It is important to remember that while your physical body is only one part of your overall health, it is necessary to address this domain. A holistic approach to well-beingBeyond movement, there are other factors that may also be affecting your physical wellness such as sleep. Studies have shown evidence that more than half of people living with MS reported difficulty sleeping. Restless leg syndrome, muscle spasms, medication side effects, and urinary incontinence may be some of the causes behind this issue. Sleep apnea is also more common in people with MS. Not having proper sleep can affect your daily wellbeing and other domains of your whole health. A shortage of sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness, mood changes, lack of appetite, and increase the feeling of fatigue. One way to remedy sleep issues is to practice good sleep hygiene and create a proper sleep routine.Domain Two: Mental and Emotional The terms mental wellness and emotional wellness are interchangeable and may be used as such in conversations with your healthcare team. This domain focuses on the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions in a healthy way while coping with stress, maintaining resilience, and fostering positive mental health. For those living with MS, not only is it important to maintain a balanced mental state for wellness, but this domain must also encompass the ability to stay centered through the times of exacerbations and successfully cope while managing the physical symptoms. Some of the major components of mental and emotional wellness include mood, emotions, self-care, anxiety, stress management, and addictions.Lets go through each component and break down how each can affect your daily lifestyle and some ways to manage it. Mood and emotions: While these two components can seem the same, it is important to remember that they are not. Understanding the differences between the two can help in managing your mental wellness, and allow your loved ones to help support you on that journey. Emotions are short-lived reactions to a specic event, situation, or an experience. They tend to trigger a physical and psychological response. On the other hand, mood is a more generalized long-lasting emotional state that may linger for hours, days, or even longer. Unlike emotions, mood is not dependent on one single event but can be due to a culmination of many different factors such as how you are physically feeling that day, a conversation with a coworker or loved one, if the weather is pleasant or not, and a multitude of other things. So how can you manage both your emotions and your mood? On the next page is a chart with some suggestions. Feel free to build off these and practice them as often as you need. 8'