LOVE, HEAT & MS: KEEPING YOUR MARRIAGE STRONG THROUGH THE SUMMER
Summer brings longer days, sunshine, and opportunities for fun but with multiple sclerosis, it can also bring added challenges. Heat is a known trigger for MS symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and brain fog. But with intention and teamwork, you can manage the heat and keep your marriage strong and even more passionate through the season.
MS doesn’t just affect the body, it impacts our emotions. That’s why staying emotionally close is just as important as managing symptoms. Being seen, heard, and supported builds intimacy and that is what helps you weather any season. During the summer, Darryl is more in-tuned with me to ensure I’m good emotionally as well as physically.
I’ve learned in my 13 years as a mser to get creative while living in hot Arizona.
Try cool date nights like indoor activities that include being in a cool, air conditioned space, an afternoon movie, or going out for a late-night snack after the sun goes down.
Intentional touch like cuddles on the couch watching our favorite shows, foot rubs, or holding hands can go a long way.
Flirty connection: Little love notes, sweet texts, and lots of compliments throughout your day.
Speak your love language: Whether it’s acts of service, quality time, or words of affirmation, summer is a great time to show love the way you both can feel and interpret.
Hot weather can increase symptoms, but there are ways to be proactive during the heat:
Stay cool with cooling towels, portable fans, and wear light, breathable clothing. Wearing a hat while in the sun has helped me a lot. Even cooling vests made for MS are a great option for outdoor activities.
Hydrate well. Keep cold water nearby at all times. Add fruit for flavor in your water bottle to help you drink more water.
Plan smart for vacations. Use accessibility assistance for traveling flights. Do activities early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler. Stay in covered spaces like reserving cabanas, or beach chairs with umbrellas. Manage time in the sun by taking breaks to avoid overheating. Staying in the pool has helped me a lot while in the sun.
Plan rest. Don’t push past your limit. Give yourself permission to slow down. With every vacation I intentionally plan days of rest. No itinerary, just rest.
Living with MS during the summer is more than symptom management, it’s about choosing each other daily. It’s about giving grace when plans may change, supporting one another during flares, and creating new memories in simple ways.
Marriage doesn’t have to go on pause because MS makes things harder. With grace, communication, and intentional planning, you can help things go smoother. Let the season be a reminder that your love can stay hot, even when the AC is blasting. You’re not just surviving this summer, you’re growing stronger, together.
