Stress and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
February 18, 2007 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
We all know that stress can do bad things to people. And if you are dealing with a chronic illness, stress can be a major downer.
Even good stresses(ie wellness day), can be overwhelming, as I discovered yesterday.
So when I checked my email this morning it felt like there was some divine intervention when I received an email from ehow.com showing me ways to reduce stress in my life. I thought I would share them with you, with little comments from me.
How To Reduce Stress In Your Life
Write down everything you have to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Set a time frame, then block out when you will accomplish what. By divvying up your workload into manageable chunks, each with an allotted time, you’ll feel more relaxed about the work before you.
The making of lists is a really good tool. I use it less for stress management, but mostly as a tool to remember what I actually need to do. Now that I think of it, I suppose that is a way to reduce stress. It keeps me from wandering around aimlessly, trying to remember what I have forgotten to do.
Concentrate on one task at a time. Stressing about work you haven’t done yet only detracts from accomplishing the task at hand.
I am the poster-girl for how multi-tasking does not work. I have spent the last few weeks just trying to catch up on projects. I have had 2 dozen unfinished projects, because I have been practicing multitasking. Take my word for it, it isn’t worth it.
Manage your energies wisely ‘ prioritize your workload and put in less effort for low-priority jobs, and avoid expending energy on unimportant tasks.
Isn’t this what having CFS is all about? I am definitely re-learning the words “no” these days. Someday soon, I will be really good at using that word.
Delegate responsibility and get outside help if you feel overwhelmed. Hire a gardener for your lawn or a baby sitter for your child when you feel pressed for time.
I wonder if there is a service available, where I could hire someone to show up in place of me, at work. Then again, I wouldn’t have much of a paycheque to speak of.
Reward yourself for accomplishing things. Acknowledge the work you put in and give yourself a pat on the back, instead of immediately rushing into the next task and creating more stress.
I am all about the reward. 1 pile of paperwork filed away surely equals 1 chocolate chip cookie.
Take small breaks during work. Visit a nearby café or take a quick walk, or allow yourself 10 minutes to relax in your office: Close your eyes, strip your mind of work-related thoughts, visualize a pleasant landscape or vacation scene and relax your muscles.
When I teach from home, I set up a little cafe in my kitchen. So when I get a short break, I can go and sip yummy coffee and pretend I am hanging out in some little bohemian cafe in Paris with the likes of Joni Mitchell – and others. Yes, I have a very active imagination.
Exercise regularly to maintain your health and release stress, or take up a hobby.
I am a big fan of the trail walking (as you all know). And I know other CFS bloggers knit, read, and do all sorts of neat stuff.
Give yourself vacations. If indulging in a long vacation (and staying away from work) seems even more stressful, try taking several short vacations per year.
This is one of the reasons why I have decided to do wellness day. I didn’t think a 2 week vacation was going to work for me this year. So instead, I am going to have a series of long weekends. And on each weekend do something really good for me.
Maintain your perspective by asking yourself, “Is the situation at hand really that serious that I should become stressed-out about it?”
Says it all doesn’t it.
Hey, I like the wellness day idea, I am a big fan of long weekends, and often take several throughout the year, usually to go visit my family in Adelaide. I fly in on thursday night, and leave on sunday night. I always know I will be doted on by my lovely parents and a relaxing weekend is guaranteed.
I also love the kitchen/cafe idea, very cute!
the kitchen/cafe works really well for me. its a fun little trick i use. but unlike the cafes in paris (so i have been told anyway) there is no smoking allowed in my cafe.
i think its nice, that your family takes great care of you, when you visit.
For over 30 years I experienced several life threatening chronic illnesses. Through the Grace of God I was lead to several people and organizations that aided me in understanding, positively dealing with and transforming these illnesses. For the past few years I have devoted my life to sharing what I have learned with others. The two most impactful organizations I was lead to are The Institute of HeartMath (www.emotionalmastery.com) and Landmark Education (www.landmarkeducation.com).
The American Institute of Stress and The Centers for Disease Control have both reported that up to 90% of all illnesses are due to stress. I was lead to The Institute of HeartMath in 1997 and discovered that all of my illnesses were due to stress I had been experiencing in my life. Through learning and practicing HeartMath’s tools and technologies, I am able to prevent, manage and reverse the effects of stress, in-the-moment, achieve better health, more energy, improved mental and emotional clarity, and improved performance and relationships. HeartMath’s tools and technologies are scientifically substantiated; they literally saved my life.
Landmark Education provided me with the knowledge and tools to identify and put in my past, barriers that were stopping me from living a powerful life and a life I love. Through this Education, I have reached an unshakeable Faith.
Heart_Man,
Thank you for your comments. I am glad to know that you have found a way to successfully manage your illnesses. That is wonderful news.
I am not familiar with the Institute of HeartMath (I will be looking into this), I am somewhat familiar with Landmark Education. I have a friend who introduced me to this. It did really good things for him, however it was not a good fit for me.
I do not dispute that it works. Positive thinking and reinforcement is huge in any situation. But sometimes one needs to seek their own path on how to deal with what they have been given.
I am really pleased that these programs have been extremely helpful to you.
Blog, Laura, blog!
I am sure you have discovered the joy, and stress releasing effect of blogging.
By Blogging…
1) you have to your thoughts/emotions of the day, and try to put in down in words. A nice, calming self reflection activity to calm frayed nerves.
2) You can read your old posts, and note down what stressed you, and what had helped. Often, kind souls will also pass by your blog to give you encouragements.
3)……….I am sure there are more reasons than this… but yours truly is already a sleepy head now.
Take care, hope to hear about your AT lessons
Cheers.
Blogging does help a lot….although it does come with its own stresses. But overall, it does help.
I will definitely be writing about the lessons in Alexander Technique. My next one is at the end of March, and I can’t wait.
I can’t thank you enough, for putting that thought into my head…..I can just tell that its going to be really really good for me.