I’ve been thinking a lot about the ‘energy envelope’ that most ME/CFS patients work to conserve. When I was sick, this wasn’t part of the understanding of ME/CFS as much as it is now. But even today, the emphasis is on physical energy and what we decide to spend it on. And yes, we all have limited physical energy reserves and being intentional about how they get used is critical to our struggle to be well again.
But often, I think that we forget that psychological and emotional energy is also a part of that ‘energy envelope’. We don’t have to move out of a chair to burn up a lot of energy worrying about our responsibilities or being angry at the medical system or berating ourselves for being sick. It all burns up precious energy and runs us down. Then we encounter others who further drain our energy by off handedly diagnosing us per some stereotype or the latest news blurb about ME/CFS. It eats up a lot of emotional and psychological energy dealing with these outside stresses as well.
One of the strategies that I finally developed was deflecting this negative psychological energy. After allowing myself to absorb too much of it, from both external sources as well as self inflicted, I realized that it was just as much of a drain on my precious ‘energy envelope’ as actual physical activity. So I started with myself. I built a wall around my psyche that refused to allow negative self judgment to enter. It was such a wonderful release to let all that self berating slip away! Then, like a skilled matador, I learned to step aside when those negative external people came into my space and I let those toxic attitudes slide right by me. I refused to own them or even deal with them.
Honestly, I still do this today. I’ve learned through my struggle with ME/CFS that I can choose not to deal with other peoples’ baggage about my illness or anything else. How do you deal with conserving your psychological energy? What strategies work for you? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a my next post on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Wishing you a restful end of Summer.
Be Well Again,
Martha
But often, I think that we forget that psychological and emotional energy is also a part of that ‘energy envelope’. We don’t have to move out of a chair to burn up a lot of energy worrying about our responsibilities or being angry at the medical system or berating ourselves for being sick. It all burns up precious energy and runs us down. Then we encounter others who further drain our energy by off handedly diagnosing us per some stereotype or the latest news blurb about ME/CFS. It eats up a lot of emotional and psychological energy dealing with these outside stresses as well.
One of the strategies that I finally developed was deflecting this negative psychological energy. After allowing myself to absorb too much of it, from both external sources as well as self inflicted, I realized that it was just as much of a drain on my precious ‘energy envelope’ as actual physical activity. So I started with myself. I built a wall around my psyche that refused to allow negative self judgment to enter. It was such a wonderful release to let all that self berating slip away! Then, like a skilled matador, I learned to step aside when those negative external people came into my space and I let those toxic attitudes slide right by me. I refused to own them or even deal with them.
Honestly, I still do this today. I’ve learned through my struggle with ME/CFS that I can choose not to deal with other peoples’ baggage about my illness or anything else. How do you deal with conserving your psychological energy? What strategies work for you? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a my next post on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Wishing you a restful end of Summer.
Be Well Again,
Martha
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