I now have a shopping trolley and put my handbag in it. Wish I had bought one years ago. I still have to pull it along but it's still much better than carrying something. I really feel it when I am hanging washing out on the line. Putting the arms up above the head and looking up - pretty much an instant affect on the ME.
Be sure to keep an eye on your handbag so no one takes it - I always want to put it down in the trolley, but I'm always so paranoid about it being stolen so I just deal with the effort of lugging it around lol
I also have the arms above the head problem, so I dry my hair in several periods instead of all at once and with my laundry, I use a small indoor stand instead of our outdoor line so I don't need to reach up. For sheets or blankets, I spread them out using the backs of chairs to hold them up, usually only need two chairs but sometimes need four. It's SO much easier than trying to throw it over a line.
For me, I will get PEM from phone conversations, but it takes longer than face-to-face conversations. I am not sure of the exact amounts, but around 30 minutes of face-to-face = 2 day PEM. Whereas on the phone... its closer to an hour... but its still the same result. I've heard many others here get it from Instant messaging... I havent done that for such a while, so I don't know if I'd fall into that category.
But there is no question that preparing for an engagement adds to it.... for me... preparing for almost anything seems to cause crashing... even if it doesnt involve much physical exertion.
I get PEM from phone calls too, even though I'm laying down the whole time. I've always found phone calls to be draining though and it's just worse with ME.
Loud Noise is a big trigger for me.
Definitely affects me too, although I don't think it's necessarily a trigger. I can listen to loud movies or music if I feel ok, but if I'm tired it just makes me even more exhausted and it's hard to handle.
Living in QLD Aus, the sunlight/heat is definitely an issue for me, although humidity is probably worse. Thankfully, I spend most of my time in air con so I can avoid having issues too often. I would also add that emotions affect my fatigue - including being around people in emotional states. If my mum is on her soap box about something, it just saps me so much even though none of it is directed at me. Same as being around someone who is rushed, overexcited, etc.