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Monday 13 February 2012

A Delicate Balancing Act


Living with M.E. is a delicate balancing act.  On the one hand I don’t want to overdo it as every time I do, I risk not being able to get out of bed the next day.  This is pretty self explanatory.  If you do more than your body can physically handle (and I have to add that mental excursion can have the same effect on the body), you will inevitably end up physically less well than when you started.

On the other, much less discussed, hand I don’t want to do too little.  This may seem ridiculous as surely the opposite of doing too much is not doing enough which will result in a happy, healthy body.  Unfortunately that isn’t true – anything in excess or depletion is bad for you; the trick is finding the perfect balance between the two.

However, when you live with a chronic disability such as M.E. it isn’t as simple as just finding out the balance that works for you.  To add to the fun, the perfect balance changes daily based on so many things including what you did yesterday, what you did last week, how well you slept, what you ate recently, how hot or cold it is – you get the idea. 

So I’ve been trying to balance myself and work out what makes a difference to my health.  So far I don’t feel like I’m any closer to knowing what has a positive or negative effect on my body other than the obvious (how much I do and how much I rest).  However, despite a massive setback a few weeks ago (when I got ill), I believe I am able to do more than recently.  So for now I’m just going to continue as I am and continue tweaking my daily schedule in the hopes that some kind of pattern will make itself known to me. 

What have you found works/doesn’t work in keeping your body at its optimum health? (This question isn’t just for those with chronic disabilities as I know everyone has stress and tips for keeping themselves healthy.)

3 comments:

georgie said...

I'm on the same quest. Xx

Chelle said...

I wish I knew. Struggling with fibromyalgia and ME AND bipolar disorder, I am constantly on a quest for that balancing act.

I find the more I rest, the better I feel, but that means I don't have much of a life outside of my computer.

Having hobbies you can do from the chair/bed really helps. And having the internet/blogging community also helps because I feel as if I am still doing something without over-exerting myself.

Hugs,
Chelle
www.lifeonthedomesticfront.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Two things I have found that help me consistently. Diet and getting to bed before 8pm. I find those two things have more positive impact than anything else I have tried. But that may just be me. :)