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Pacing for Fog

You can use the following pacing strategies to reduce cognitive problems.

 

Take Rest Breaks
 
Cognitive difficulties can be caused by too much activity, so one response if you’re not thinking clearly is to take a break. A brief rest may be enough to end, or at least reduce, your fog. In this way, fog serves a positive purpose; it helps you recognize when you are outside your limits and need to slow down. Note: overactivity applies to mental activity as well as physical.

Getting the right balance between activity and rest is one of the keys to gaining control in CFS and FM. For more, see the page Scheduled Rests in the Pacing section of this site.
 
Use Routine
 
Reduce confusion by living a predictable life with routines: doing the same things every day in the same way at about the same time. For example, always put your keys in your purse when you arrive home. If your fog is thickest in the morning, put out your clothes the night before.
 
Pick Your Best Time of Day
 
Do the tasks that require concentration and mental clarity during the hours you are sharpest. The best time of day varies from person to person. Experiment to find the time that's best for you. For more, see Additional Pacing Strategies.
 
Postpone, Switch Tasks or Cancel Activities 

If you're not thinking clearly, postpone jobs that are mentally challenging, switch to a simpler task or take a break. As one person in the self-help program says, "When I'm too tired and foggy to think, I put things off until the next day and get extra rest instead."
 

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