Energy Envelope; another approach to pacing that is easy to understand and worth being aware of...

[Starbys]

Thought people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis may find this a useful way of trying to avoid overdoing it and living within limits to try to reduce exacerbation of symptoms..

It's like pacing but a bit different and is widely used in America...

'' The Energy Envelope

To use the idea of the energy envelope, think of your situation as having three elements. The first is your available energy. This is the energy you have to accomplish things. It is limited and is replenished by rest and food. The second is your expended energy, the energy you lose through physical, mental and emotional exertion.

The third is your symptoms, fatigue, brain fog, pain, and so on. In this view, if you expend more energy than you have available, you will intensify your symptoms. This is called living outside the energy envelope. An alternative is living inside the energy envelope. If you keep your expended energy within the limits of your available energy, you have a chance to reduce symptoms, and over time may be able to expand your limits.''

see more at:

cfidsselfhelp.org/library/f...

I feel this article does make it sound far easier than it is in reality but still recommend as a well explained simple, potentially very useful resource.

Best wishes to all,

Starbys

[Ian123]

Spoon theory is another that makes fluctuating energy levels explainable when trying to manage beyond tired levels of fatigue and have some quality of life

butyoudontlooksick.com/arti...

[Starbys in reply to Ian123]

yea, this article i posted the link to does briefly explain the 'spoon theory' and also the 'bowl of marbles theory' which i found useful. I haven't heard of the marbles one before but i like it for its' visual nature and simplicity if you have a visual mind.

I've always been vaguely aware of the spoon theory but put off slightly by the lengthy descriptions so i was glad to get a very short basic explanation in the article i linked to ( cfidsselfhelp.org/library/f... ) Thanks for your link which elaborates.

Will explore it further when i can for interest.

Although these things are really what 've already been doing for so many years anyway i still think it's sometimes good to get a basic reminder for anyone with ME!

Also It's so hard to pace in reality when you're severely affected as even the bare essentials of surviving even when done for you by another person/carer take more exertion than you've got physical resources for - literally.

It's vital for earlier stages of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis though.

[Ian123 in reply to Starbys]

Yes be kind to yourself people your the only one of you there is, ask no more of yourself than you would a friend who feels like you do.

None of this is easy and it's more than frustrating but you will be your own best friend if you can do this for yourself.