Things to Know When Incorporating Healthy Habits into MS Management, with Lisa Doggett, M.D.

Lisa Doggett, M.D., a family and lifestyle medicine physician, has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for over 15 years. She works at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School’s MS Center, where she provides lifestyle coaching and support for patients with MS. In an interview with The Educated Patient, Doggett emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in managing MS alongside disease-modifying therapy to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.

She explains the six pillars of lifestyle medicine are physical activity, healthy nutrition (favoring a whole-food, plant-based diet), quality sleep, stress management, avoiding unhealthy substances and fostering positive social connections.

6 Things to Know When Incorporating Healthy Habits into MS Management:

• Determine your why: Identifying personal motivations for lifestyle changes, such as staying active for family or preventing additional chronic conditions, can help sustain commitment. Writing these reasons down as reminders can reinforce motivation during challenging times.
• Set SMART goals: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. For instance, instead of vaguely aiming to “exercise more,” one might set a goal to “walk for 15 minutes a day, five days a week, gradually increasing duration.”
• Find an accountability buddy: Sharing goals with a supportive friend or family member can help maintain consistency. If an accountability partner isn’t available, using reminders, notes or digital alerts can serve as self-motivation tools.
• Anticipate obstacles: Planning for potential challenges — such as bad weather, fatigue or unsupportive routines — can help in overcoming them. Flexibility and creative problem-solving are key to maintaining consistency.
• Stay motivated: Visualizing long-term benefits, making activities enjoyable and incorporating habit-stacking (e.g., balancing on one foot while brushing teeth) can boost adherence. Doggett also recommends seeking professional support if motivation wanes.
• Give yourself grace: Acknowledging setbacks and adjusting goals as needed can prevent discouragement. MS presents unique challenges, but shifting one’s mindset to focus on strengths and small victories can promote a healthier self-perception.