Last Updated on February 14, 2025 by Cathy
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It’s a day when people show love and affection to those who are special to them. Many people give gifts, flowers, and chocolates. Others go to a fancy restaurant for a special meal. It’s another day that can also be hard emotionally.
My husband and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. He always has to work a long day, and by the time he gets off at 8 or 9 p.m., he’s exhausted. Plus, I’ve never been someone who likes spending a lot of money—I’m more of a saver. Instead, we celebrate in small ways. We send each other loving messages throughout the day.
Valentine’s Day is about showing someone you care, but what about yourself? When you have multiple sclerosis (MS), self-love isn’t just nice—it’s important. Taking care of yourself helps you manage symptoms and feel your best. Stress and exhaustion can trigger symptoms. This Valentine’s Day, take time to focus on yourself that supports your body, mind, and spirit.
Prioritizing Rest & Relaxation
MS and fatigue go hand in hand. Some days, no matter how much you want to keep going, your body says, “Not today.” That’s why rest isn’t just important—it’s necessary.
Pushing through exhaustion can make symptoms worse. I know this from experience and you don’t want that. Instead, show yourself love by slowing down and giving your body the break it needs.
- Listen to Your Body – Feeling drained? Resting isn’t being lazy—it’s part of healing.
- Create a Calming Evening Routine – Sip a warm herbal tea and cozy up with a soft blanket. Dim the lights and listen to peaceful music. If you enjoy candles, choose battery-powered ones to avoid toxins. These are the ones I own, I think they are pretty Flameless Candles with String Lights (see picture above).
- Set Boundaries – You don’t have to say yes to everything. Protect your energy by saying no when needed.
- Try Deep Relaxation – Try meditation or deep breathing. Here’s a simple way to relax, start at your head and release all the tension. Take slow, deep breaths and close your eyes. Relax your face and let the weight of your jaw separate your lips. Then relax your shoulders. Tell each part of your body to relax as you’re moving slowly down until you reach your toes. Stay in that relaxed position for a few minutes. Feel how light your body feels as all your worries float away. This helps calm the nervous system and improve relaxation.
Small Act of Self-Love: Set aside 15-30 minutes today to do absolutely nothing. Just rest and think happy thoughts, ones that put a smile on your face.
Taking time to rest isn’t selfish—it’s self-care. The more you support your body, the better you’ll feel.
Gentle Movement & Stretching
Moving your body doesn’t have to be intense to be helpful. Gentle movement can ease stiffness, improve circulation, and lift your mood. Even small stretches or slow movements can make a big difference in how you feel.
Try Yoga
Yoga is a great way to stretch and relax at the same time. Some poses are perfect for calming your nervous system and reducing tension. If you struggle with balance check out the “Chair Yoga for MS” by the MS Society below. These poses can help you ease tight muscles.
Go for a Slow, Mindful Walk
Go outside and go for a 5-10 minute walk and soak up some sunshine. If it’s too cold outside or walking is difficult, you can still move. Try marching in place while seated or stretching your arms overhead. You can also do gentle ankle circles. Even light movement can improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
Stretch in Bed
Mornings can be tough, especially with MS. If getting up feels hard, start with gentle stretches while lying down. Slowly move your legs side to side, do ankle circles, or stretch your arms overhead. These small movements help wake up your body without overdoing it.
Dance or Sway to Music
Music is a great mood booster. If you have trouble with standing, try gentle swaying. If you’re seated, tap your feet, roll your shoulders, or move your arms to the beat. This helps to boost endorphins which are your body’s natural feel-good hormones. Endorphins help reduce stress and tension.
Small Act of Self-Love: It’s important to keep moving. Even small movements help. Try stretching your fingers or rolling your shoulders. Every movement counts!
Try my 1 Minute Exercise Challenge! 👇
Nourishing Your Body with Love
Image by Iqbal Nuril Anwar from Pixabay
Food is one of the most powerful ways to show yourself love. What you eat can either support healing or add to inflammation. Choosing nourishing, whole foods gives your body the care it needs to thrive. Also, a warm, comforting drink like golden milk is a great way to wind down. It’s packed with anti-inflammatory benefits, making it perfect for MS wellness. If you’ve never tried it, check out my simple recipe here Golden Spice Turmeric Latte.
- Eat More Antioxidants – Berries, leafy greens, and colorful veggies help protect your cells. They also fight stress in the body.
- Stay Hydrated – Water is essential for energy, digestion, and flushing out toxins. If plain water feels boring, try herbal tea or infused water with lemon or berries. Did you know lemon water is a natural electrolyte? It contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium—three important minerals for your body. Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, while potassium helps transmit nerve signals. Calcium plays a key role in regulating nerve signals. It also helps prevent osteoporosis, a common risk for people with MS.
- Avoid Inflammatory Foods – Processed foods, dairy, gluten, and sugar can trigger inflammation. They may also worsen MS symptoms. Swapping them for natural, whole foods can make a big difference.
- Prepare a Comforting, Anti-Inflammatory Meal – A warm bowl of vegetable soup is comforting and nourishing. A fresh salad provides a crisp, refreshing option. A smoothie filled with superfoods is another great way to fuel your body and boost your mood.
The food you eat is fuel for healing. Every bite is a chance to care for your body.
Small Act of Self-Love: Make a nutrient-packed smoothie or a hydrating herbal tea today. Your body will thank you!
Practicing Mindfulness & Gratitude
Stress is one of the biggest triggers for MS symptoms. When stress builds up, it worsens fatigue and increases inflammation. It also drains your energy. Years ago, chronic stress is what set me back, it’s what caused my walking to get worse. Practicing mindfulness calms your nervous system. It also brings more peace into your day.
Try Deep Breathing – A simple way to reset your mind and body. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, then slowly exhale for 6. Repeat a few times and feel the tension melt away.
Use a Gratitude Journal – Write down three things you’re grateful for today, even if they seem small. Focusing on the good shifts your mindset and lowers stress.
Practice Self-Compassion – It’s easy to focus on what MS has taken. Instead, celebrate what your body can still do. Every step forward—no matter how small—is a win.
Limit Social Media – Seeing others’ “perfect” lives can make you feel like you’re not doing enough. Take a break when needed and focus on your journey.
Mindfulness and gratitude don’t erase challenges. But they help you face them with more strength and calm.
Small Act of Self-Love: Write down one thing you love about yourself today. You deserve kindness—especially from yourself.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Saying no is an act of self-care. Your energy is precious, and protecting it helps you take better care of yourself. You don’t have to push through exhaustion or say yes just to please others. Setting boundaries is a way to show yourself love and respect.
- Don’t Overdo It– If Valentine’s Day plans feel like too much, it’s okay to skip them or adjust them to fit your needs. A quiet evening at home can be just as special.
- Communicate Your Needs – Let loved ones know what helps you feel your best. If you need a slower pace, extra rest, or a simple celebration, speak up.
- Give Yourself Permission to Rest – Fatigue is real. Pushing through it can make things worse. Rest isn’t a weakness—it’s how you recharge.
- Unfollow Negativity – Step away from anything that brings you down. This could be toxic relationships, stressful social media, or draining conversations. Protecting your peace is an act of self-care. Protect your peace.
You don’t have to explain or justify your boundaries. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
Small Act of Self-Love: Say no to something that drains you today—without guilt. Your well-being comes first.
This Valentine’s Day You Deserve Love, Too!
Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik
This Valentine’s Day, don’t just focus on others—be aware of your needs. Small acts of self-love add up over time. They help you feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally. Every step you take supports your health. This includes resting more, moving gently, eating nourishing foods, and setting boundaries. Small choices add up to make a big difference.
Take this as your reminder: You are worthy of care, love, and healing—every single day.
Reclaim your life and discover the secrets to Managing MS Naturally!
Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
How to Show Yourself Love This Valentine’s Day
