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There’s a lot that goes into healing. From planning meals and managing symptoms, to supplements, sleep, and stress… it can all start to feel a little too serious, a little too structured, and honestly? A little draining.

But lately, I’ve been reminded, both personally and through conversations with clients, that joy is not something extra in your healing journey. It’s essential.

We’re not robots trying to check all the boxes. We’re women doing our best to live fully, even with a diagnosis. And sometimes, what your body (and soul) need most isn’t more structure, it’s a little play, a little beauty, and a moment that reminds you you’re still you.

So today, I’m sharing five simple, doable ways to bring more joy into your healing routine. These aren’t major life overhauls. They’re the kind of shifts you can start today, in the middle of real life, with laundry piles and grocery lists and everything else.

1. Mix Up Your Grocery Routine

Let’s start with something simple.

If you’re stuck in a food rut, or just tired of the same old grocery loop, try changing where and how you shop.

Visit a local farmers’ market. Stroll around. Talk to the vendors. Smell the herbs. Pick something up just because it looks fun, even if you don’t know what you’ll do with it yet.

And here’s something I’ve been loving lately: grab a small bouquet of flowers for yourself.

Nothing fancy. Just something beautiful to put on your counter. It sounds small, but it lifts my mood every time I walk into the kitchen.

Even better? Invite a friend to go with you. That connection, that laughter, that’s healing too.

2. Try Growing Something—Anything

This spring, I planted a veggie garden for the first time. And to my surprise, I absolutely love it.

There’s something about planting a seed, watering it, and watching it grow that’s incredibly grounding. It reconnects you to life in a really gentle, steady way.

But you don’t need a big backyard or raised beds. Start with a little pot of herbs: basil, mint, rosemary.

They’re easy to care for, they smell amazing, and they add so much life (and flavor!) to your meals.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

3. Break Out of Your Recipe Rut

Let’s talk food.

I had a client recently tell me she was so bored with her snacks that she didn’t even want to eat. And I get it, when you’re following a healing protocol, meals can start to feel repetitive.

We sat down and made a short list of fun, easy ideas she was actually excited to try, and it made all the difference.

You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just try one new recipe.

A smoothie with new flavors (if you need ideas, check out my 5-day smoothie challenge). A homemade dip. A veggie you haven’t had in years.

Bonus? Variety supports gut health too. So you’re helping your body and your taste buds at the same time.

And don’t forget to have fun with presentation.

Recently, I made a rainbow fruit board for a girls’ night, strawberries, clementines, kiwi, blueberries, pineapple. It was colorful, delicious, and it made me happy. I even recreated it on a smaller plate for snack time with my daughter.

Sometimes joy is as simple as plating your food with care.

4. Refresh Your Hydration Routine

I talk a lot about water, because it’s so important. But let’s be real…sometimes plain water feels boring.

If you’re struggling to stay hydrated, try giving your routine a little refresh:

Add lemon, cucumber, or mint

Brew herbal tea (hot or iced)

Use sparkling water with a splash of juice

Grab a new glass or mason jar that makes you want to drink more

I’ve found some great glassware at HomeGoods. Small change, big impact.

Make your water feel special. It’s a simple way to take care of yourself throughout the day.

5. Make Space for Imperfect Fun

This one has been speaking to me a lot lately.

When you’re focused on healing, everything can start to feel like it needs to be optimized, your sleep, your food, your mindset, your supplements. It’s a lot.

But sometimes the most healing thing you can do is just have fun.

Not planned, not perfect. Just… fun.

For me, this has looked like dancing around the kitchen with my daughter or chasing bubbles in the backyard. It’s loud and messy and honestly, those are the moments I feel most like myself again—not just the MS version of me, but the whole me.

And if you don’t have little ones? Joy is still available to you.

Dance to a favorite throwback song

Watch a movie that makes you laugh

Sit in the grass with your shoes off

Doodle or color, just because

Do something that makes you feel alive.

Joy isn’t extra. It’s part of the medicine.

You’re Still Allowed to Feel Joy

So there you have it: five simple ways to bring more joy into your healing routine.

These aren’t about doing more. They’re about doing things a little differently. With more beauty, more intention, and more of you in the process.

Because MS is serious. Healing is serious.

But you are still allowed to feel joy.

So try one thing today. Just one.

Pick up fresh flowers. Make a rainbow plate. Sip tea in your favorite glass.

Let that be enough.

And if something from this post spoke to you. I’d love to hear from you. Message me, comment below, or share it with someone who might need a little joy right now, too.

You’re not alone in this.