Stress affects everybody but if you have MS stress can play a major negative role in your quality of life. All of us need to work out ways to minimise the effects of stress in our lives.

What we eat is a big one; eat more foods that contain Folic acid, foods with Vitamin B-12, which boosts your energy. Eat foods with greater amounts of antioxidants such as Vitamins C, E, and the mineral, selenium, which help to repair damage to cells caused by stress.

Eat an orange a day they are loaded with Vitamin C, which studies show dramatically lower the production of stress hormones within minutes. In fact, once you eat it, your blood vessels relax and blood pressure lowers (maybe eat two). Other healthy stress reducing foods include – Avocado, spinach, papaya, blue berries, milk, cottage cheese, oatmeal, beef, salmon, tuna, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and of course dark chocolate.

The next time you start to feel overwhelmed try this tip that doesn’t even require you to leave your chair: Lift your knees up until your feet are on the seat and tuck your chin in while breathing slowly. That exercise will increase oxygen and blood flow throughout your body, the increased oxygen to the brain helps you to relax.

Spend some time with a dog or cat, yours or someone else’s, according to research, being around a pet provides more stress relief then being around a two legged companion.

Laughter is a great medicine, laughter releases endorphins into your blood, instantly improving your mood; some studies show that laughing lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. Laughter truly is the best medicine!

Sing your favourite song; experts say that singing decreases tension in your face, neck, and shoulders. Another benefit; It boosts the production of feel-good endorphins and lowers your heart rate.

Quit or at least cut back on smoking (if you do), researchers have found that nicotine supresses the stress fighting hormone serotonin. Unfortunately it also triggers the release of the chemical dopamine, which stimulates pleasure centres in the brain, (that’s why it’s difficult to quit).

Exercise three or four times a day for about 30 minutes each day, it doesn’t have to be a marathon just work to a level that challenges you slightly and increase the intensity every couple of weeks. Even something as simple as a walk around the block once a day is a huge stress buster.

Your body needs sleep, get lots of rest; have an afternoon nap, go to bed early with a good book or movie; and be sure to drink lots of water, chat with good friends or family, and smile every chance you get.