...DEFEAT Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: ...............................................................You don't have to live with it
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ME/CFS/SEID Goals – One Step at a Time

4/19/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture© 2016 TSM
It’s a beautiful sunny day and the temperature is about 75 with low humidity.  During the endless cold winter, this was the kind of day many people conjured in their minds in order to get through till spring.  Here it is – just like we imagined.  Sweet.  I remember however that my desires for better weather didn’t go from worst day of winter to a perfect day in spring.  They were incremental.

At first I thought I wouldn’t be so cold if only the wind would stop blowing.  And when it ceased, I was warmer.  Then I thought it would be so much better if just the sun came out.  And then it did.  After that, I wanted the temps to get above freezing.  Then I thought it would be great if the icy sidewalks would melt.  And so on.  As spring slowly came, I got closer and closer to that perfect sunny day.  And of course this got me thinking about my struggle with ME/CFS/SEID and the goals I set back then.

After I decided to finally get off the insane ME/CFS/SEID push and crash roller coaster, I was at my sickest with ME/CFS/SEID.  Full disclosure – it took a horrendous crash to make the decision to permanently change my approach to healing.  I am a Type A after all.  My entire perspective on goals changed too.  I was no longer striving to ‘get my life back’.  I set simple, next step goals.  Making a sandwich and then having the strength to eat it.  Washing a few dishes.  Paying a bill.  When I could do those things, I worked on being able to take a shower without assistance.  The first time I drove the car to pick up a prescription was a big day even though I needed a nap right after I got home.  It seems hard to believe now.  But those small goals added up over a long period – one step at a time.  Eventually, the day came when I was feeling well again.

How are you setting wellness goals?  What’s your strategy?  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 weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha

3 Comments
Tim Boland
4/26/2016 12:06:41 am

I love the positivity of your blogs, Martha, as it is inspiring to hear about your journey to wellness, one step at a time. When I don't have too much going on in my business (and I do have an assistant now who helps a a lot), I like to go for a walk each day. Not that far, about half a mile. I remember when the illness was especially strong for me, and walking from my doorstep down to the end of the cul-de-sac and feeling slightly winded. It was shocking to me as this would have been a simple and easy to do stroll before the illness.

I have gotten in the habit of watching more news over the past year or so, and find it's invariably depressing, as it seems 'bad news sells' so I am trying to break that habit. I like to read at least a few pages of lighter reading just before going to bed, and most nights I will take a warm shower before retiring.

When I was doing Feldenkrais work, sort of a very mild gentle yoga with no extreme positions, the practitioner told me that taking hot showers at bed time is unwise as it's actually stimulative rather than relaxing, as a warm shower can be.

Reply
Martha
4/26/2016 12:13:34 pm

I'm with you Tim. I find that a hot shower or bath before bedtime puts me right off to sleep. I'm so relaxed and decompressed. Go figure. Thanks Tim!

Reply
Tim
4/26/2016 01:30:06 pm

That's great that the hot showers work for you, Martha :) Some people thrive with them, mine showers are warm/hot usually.


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    Hello,  I'm
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    After struggling with CFS for four years I am fortunate now to be fully well and making choices about how I want to live my healthy life.  One choice is to be an active part of the CFS community and to offer one voice from the fully recoverd to the dialogue.  I'm glad you're here!   For more about me, here's my Bio.

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