rahmama
But you don't look sick...
- Messages
- 16
I've known for a long time that I need to pace myself because I'm goal driven and it's hard to stop me once I get going. But now I'm starting to think of pacing as part of my therapy and recovery. I could never get a handle on how to manifest a healthy pace because I lose track of time when I'm doing something I really love, like gardening. (a real PEM trigger!) I always push myself especially if I'm having a good day. I always pay for it later.
The concept of breaking a large project into small pieces is not new to me, but I recently gave it a name. I think of things that require exertion in 15 minute increments. So when I go out to the garden, I'm the '15 minute gardener'. For this to work, I have to carry my phone on me and remember to set the timer. The hard part is committing to making myself stop when the timer rings. But I'm trying to be more accepting of my limitations and not fight it. Taking baby steps. Plan to stay at 15 minutes until I don't crash.
This works for walks, house cleaning, standing in the kitchen, etc. Maybe one day I can do all these things for 20 minutes!
Of course not everything fits into this concept. This morning I had 30 minutes of doctor-prescribed physical therapy and 30 minutes of grocery shopping. Even though I felt ok when I got home, I rested for about an hour, hoping the exertion-to-rest ratio will prevent a crash.
Would love to know what others do in regard to pacing. How important is it in your life? How do you manage it?
The concept of breaking a large project into small pieces is not new to me, but I recently gave it a name. I think of things that require exertion in 15 minute increments. So when I go out to the garden, I'm the '15 minute gardener'. For this to work, I have to carry my phone on me and remember to set the timer. The hard part is committing to making myself stop when the timer rings. But I'm trying to be more accepting of my limitations and not fight it. Taking baby steps. Plan to stay at 15 minutes until I don't crash.
This works for walks, house cleaning, standing in the kitchen, etc. Maybe one day I can do all these things for 20 minutes!
Of course not everything fits into this concept. This morning I had 30 minutes of doctor-prescribed physical therapy and 30 minutes of grocery shopping. Even though I felt ok when I got home, I rested for about an hour, hoping the exertion-to-rest ratio will prevent a crash.
Would love to know what others do in regard to pacing. How important is it in your life? How do you manage it?