A frequent cause of pain is overdoing or having an activity level that is beyond a person's limits. Pacing offers a way to bring stability and control by keeping activity level within the limits imposed by illness.
Pacing can involve a variety of strategies, including:
- Reducing overall activity level
- Delegating
- Alternating activity and rest
- Having short activity periods
- Switching between high and low intensity tasks
- Using the best hours of day for the most demanding activities
- Staying within limits for mental and social activity
- Keeping records to see links between activity and symptoms
Pacing is the heart of lifestyle adjustment to CFS and FM, and helps control all of the four main symptoms. For ideas on how to incorporate pacing into your life, see the section on Pacing.
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