Humans are social animals, and this social dimension is not a superfluous luxury: it is essential to our physical and mental health, including our brain health. Neuroscience research shows that social interactions stimulate the brain, protect against cognitive decline, and contribute to cognitive reserve. For people with multiple sclerosis, maintaining an active social life is as much a health issue as it is a well-being issue.

Why social relationships protect the brain

Social interactions are among the most complex and stimulating activities for the human brain. A simple conversation simultaneously mobilizes many cognitive functions: attention to follow the speaker, memory to remember the context and exchanged information, language to understand and express oneself, executive functions to plan responses, social cognition to interpret emotions and intentions of others. It's a true natural cognitive training.

Beyond this immediate stimulation, social relationships help build cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to compensate for damage. People with a rich and diverse social life statistically have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This protection also applies in the context of MS: an active social life can help maintain cognitive functions despite lesions.

The challenges of social life with MS

Maintaining an active social life when you have multiple sclerosis can be a real challenge. Several disease-related factors can hinder social relationships and gradually lead to isolation.

Fatigue that limits outings

Fatigue, a pervasive symptom of MS, is often a major obstacle to social life. Going out, traveling, engaging in a sustained conversation: all this requires energy. After a social outing, fatigue can be so debilitating that it takes several days to recover. Faced with this reality, many people gradually reduce their social activities.

Cognitive difficulties that complicate exchanges

Cognitive difficulties related to MS can make social interactions more arduous. Difficulty following a rapid conversation or with several speakers, forgetting names or shared information, slowness in finding words: these symptoms can generate embarrassment and social anxiety, leading to avoidance of interaction situations.

Visible or disabling physical symptoms

Walking difficulties, tremors, speech difficulties, or other visible symptoms can cause embarrassment or shame, even if these feelings are not rational. The fear of others' judgment or gaze can lead to progressive social isolation.

• Reduced mobility: Difficulty traveling to see loved ones or participate in activities
• Unpredictability: Cancel at the last moment due to a flare-up or bad day
• Misunderstanding: Difficulty for loved ones to understand invisible symptoms
• Job loss: Work is often an important place for socialization

At the beginning of my disease, I tended to isolate myself. I was ashamed of my difficulties, afraid to tire my friends with my problems. But I realized that this isolation worsened everything: my morale, my fatigue, and even my cognition. I made the effort to reconnect with my loved ones and find new ways to socialize. It changed my life.

Sophie, 41 years old, MS for 7 years

Strategies to maintain an active social life

Despite the challenges, it is possible to maintain a satisfying social life with MS. It sometimes requires adaptation, finding new forms of socialization, and accepting help. Here are proven strategies.

Adapt meeting modalities

If long outings are exhausting, prefer shorter but more frequent meetings. Invite your loved ones to your home rather than traveling. Suggest calm activities rather than exhausting outings. The important thing is to maintain the connection, whatever form it takes.

• Home visits: Invite your loved ones to come to see you rather than traveling
• Short meetings: A one-hour coffee is more manageable than a three-hour dinner
• Adapted activities: Movies, board games, short walks rather than hikes
• Strategic moments: Plan meetings when you are at your best

Use communication technologies

Modern technologies offer great opportunities to maintain social connections despite physical limitations. Video calls, social networks, online discussion groups allow staying connected with loved ones and meeting new people without having to travel or manage the fatigue of outings.

Join a patient association

MS patient associations are valuable places for socialization and support. You will meet people who understand what you are going through, with whom you can talk freely about your difficulties without having to explain or justify. These peer exchanges are often more supportive than many professional advice.

Communicate your needs

Your loved ones cannot guess what you need. Communicate openly about your fatigue, your limits, but also about your need to maintain the connection. Explain that you may need to cancel at the last moment, but that it doesn't mean you no longer want to see them. Honest communication strengthens relationships and avoids misunderstandings.

Social life and cognitive stimulation: a winning duo

Social life and cognitive stimulation reinforce each other. Social interactions are themselves a form of cognitive stimulation, while maintaining cognitive abilities facilitates social exchanges. Combining an active social life with cognitive training with EDITH and JOE offers double protection for your brain.

Socialize around cognitive games

Why not combine the two by making your cognitive exercises a sharing moment? Invite a close one to play EDITH games with you, compare your scores, challenge each other with friendly competitions. This adds a pleasant social dimension to your training and strengthens the bond with your loved ones.

Talk about your cognitive training

Sharing your approach to cognitive stimulation with your loved ones is a way to involve them in your health journey. Explain to them why you use EDITH or JOE, show them the games, celebrate your progress with them. It boosts your motivation and allows them to better understand your daily efforts.

I suggested to my mother to play EDITH with me when she comes to see me. We have a great time together, we laugh at our mistakes, we congratulate each other on our successes. It's become our little ritual and it has strengthened our bond. Besides, at 75, it's good for her too!

Aurelie, 36 years old, MS for 4 years