Ryan Bell shares a practical Lyme Hack: consistent movement—no matter how small—can support both physical and mental healing during the chronic Lyme journey.
- Incorporate Daily Movement
- Even 15 to 30 minutes of movement can have a meaningful impact.
- Exercise supports both physical health and mental well-being.
- Consistency is more important than intensity.
- Adapt Movement to Your Ability
- Healing looks different for everyone.
- If you’re bedbound, small movements still matter.
- Stretching, moving limbs, or gentle activity can help keep the body engaged.
- Build Mental Strength
- Chronic Lyme disease challenges both body and mind.
- Staying mentally tough helps you navigate difficult days.
- Taking it one step at a time makes the journey more manageable.
Ryan’s message reinforces that progress doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful—small, consistent actions can help move you forward on your healing journey.
“Do whatever you are able to do, take it day by day, and stay mentally tough.” – Ryan Bell
Watch Video:
This 2026 Lyme Hack was recorded during Tick Boot Camp’s coverage of the inaugural Stories That Heal: Author Series, where leaders, patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates came together to advance awareness, education, and hope for the Lyme disease community.
Video Transcript:
Matt Sabatello, Co-Founder of Tick Boot Camp: We’re here for another in-person Lyme hack for Lyme Disease Awareness Month. I’d like to thank you, ask you to introduce yourself, and share with us a tip or trick for the Lyme community to help them overcome chronic Lyme.
Ryan Bell: My name is Ryan Bell, and I would say the biggest thing for me is being able to exercise 15 to 30 minutes a day. It has a huge impact on your health—not just your physical health, but your mental health. Being able to do that helps you stay mentally tough day to day. Take it one step at a time; that’s all you can do.
Matt: Let me ask you a follow-up to that, because some people in our community are bedbound and really unwell. What form of exercise, if any, can they do to help push the needle forward in their healing journey?
Ryan: I think the biggest thing is staying mentally tough and taking it day by day. If you’re bedbound, do everything you can while you’re sitting or lying down—stretching your toes, stretching your arms, just moving your limbs anyway you can. Do whatever you are able to do. It depends case by case, but again: hang in there, stay tough, and it’s going to get better.
Matt: Excellent advice. Thank you so much.
Ryan: Thank you.
Explore more expert insights from our Lyme Hackathon series and discover how healing is possible with the right knowledge, support, and approach on our Lyme Hackathon page.
