About 20 years ago, I read about in one of the UK ME charities' magazines about ART - "Aggressive Rest Therapy". I think it was maybe written by a patient trying to remind him/herself that resting wasn't just what you did when you were forced by your fatigue to do it, but actually so useful biologically that it's a treatment. Nancy Klimas (I think) has said that no pill or potion is as effective for PWME as pacing, which of course incorporates rest. Sarah Myhill has said that resting, involving proper head-flat, no TV lying down, is important.
Like many of us, I spend at least four hours a day lying down, but I'm not always completely resting. I'm often reading, listening to the radio, or, with my head slightly elevated, watching TV. I spend about half an hour of my lying down time meditating; only then am I probably completely resting.
My question: biologically, immunologically, physiologically, what does rest do in PWME? Do our brains really need rest (no TV while lying down) or just our bodies? Why? Are they running out of fuel or something? If rest was a drug, what effects on the body would be reported in a clinical trial? E.g. on mitochondria, cytokines, whatever? Why is rest good, and what sort of rest?
With an understanding of what rest does, I'd feel more motivated to rest properly, and I expect I'm not the only one. Looking forward to hearing from the biologists out there!
Like many of us, I spend at least four hours a day lying down, but I'm not always completely resting. I'm often reading, listening to the radio, or, with my head slightly elevated, watching TV. I spend about half an hour of my lying down time meditating; only then am I probably completely resting.
My question: biologically, immunologically, physiologically, what does rest do in PWME? Do our brains really need rest (no TV while lying down) or just our bodies? Why? Are they running out of fuel or something? If rest was a drug, what effects on the body would be reported in a clinical trial? E.g. on mitochondria, cytokines, whatever? Why is rest good, and what sort of rest?
With an understanding of what rest does, I'd feel more motivated to rest properly, and I expect I'm not the only one. Looking forward to hearing from the biologists out there!