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How do you, personally, pace yourself?

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Posted 12/12/2013 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm guessing we all have our own 'style' of pacing ourselves every day. 

 For me, it usually works to alternate sitting with standing activities/work.  I have to admit, though, that I'm somewhat off-track these days and getting a little too enthusiastic for Christmas-related things I want to get done.  All the nasty cold air outside is taking a toll on me too.  I'm taking it somewhat easy (or at least easier) today, which is one of the reasons I'm sitting at the computer this morning. tongue

I plan on doing things like sorting through papers, magazines, etc. today and just doing some light work.

So, how do you, personally, pace yourself?

Have a great day, everyone. smilewinkgrin

Posted 12/12/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I basically go very slow. When I am doing something physically exerting, I stop before I get any pain. It often doesn't feel like I am getting anywhere, but I am.

I try to stay in the moment. That helps a lot. Less worrying about the future. Take it one day at a time, that is my motto...

I am sure you will get a lot of responses.

Good topic!!!

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 12/12/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
If I'm sitting like paying bills or wrapping gifts, I don't need to pace myself. But if I'm cleaning, I'll work a little until I start to feel tired...usually around 1/2 hour...and then I usually get on the computer for a few minutes to break things up. Then I go back to what I was working on. When I garden, I will only do 1/2-3/4 of an hour a day. That is harder, hotter work for me.

Sherrine
Posted 12/12/2013 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Friends, family and co-workers have no problem telling me I'm in rough shape and should take it easy for awhile.
Posted 12/12/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
im terrible at this...I have two little kids to run around after so pacing is almost impossible! Bt I have a great husband who takes the load off me..I make sure that from 8pm onwards I relax and don't do any housework etc..if i do anything during the day I sit for half hour then do some light housework, then sit again, then do something else, then sit, then prepare dinner and so goes my day...I often burn out and need the weekend to recouperate
Posted 12/12/2013 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I go according to how I feel.
Posted 12/13/2013 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
I am still trying to figure this out. I tend to push too hard and then flare. From others great advice it is do a little at a time and rest :) I try and grocery shop, clean and do errands on Saturday so I can relax on Sunday. ( I work M-f full time) this isn't working well cbecause by Saturday night my pain is through the rough and then I sleep all day on Sunday.
I guess I can guide you on what NOT to do!! :) best of luck
Posted 12/13/2013 8:49 AM (GMT 0)
I've been working on pacing since this Summer - some days I do better than others! This is definitely a work in progress for me. Following is the strategy I follow, which I came up with after reading as much info as I could find about pacing for chronic pain patients.

I made lists of things I want/need to do in every category of my life:
Core activities:
spirit
personal care
exercise (not doing much yet)
cooking (we mainly do organic, whole foods, so lots to be done there)
housework (DH helps with this, of course!)
managing finances
dog training
work (I have a nail salon in my house)

Optional:
website building
crochet
needle felting
wet felting
digi-scrapping
photography
jewelry making
chalk painting furniture
reading

The categories above in blue are the things that I have decided I must do regardless of how I'm feeling. They give me my "minimum day", so that even on my worst days I can feel like I accomplished something.
Once I had my basic list of things I MUST do for the functioning of my life, I then scheduled them in a planner - including eating meals which I am prone to skipping! I tend to schedule physical activities in 15 minute increments, and sitting activities in 30 minute increments and I then balance physical/sitting activities throughout each day.

I've found it really helpful to have lists of projects that I want to do for all my hobbies. Often times because of pain levels I found that I had a hard time thinking about what I want to do, now I just look at my lists and choose an activity based on whether I wanted to be moving or sitting.

I admit that some days I am so tired/in pain that I just don't open my calendar, and basically not accomplish much. My goal is to do that less and less as time goes on!

I have a personal trainer who is working on an exercise plan for me - basically she will devise 5-8 minute (to start) sessions that I will then do several sessions each day, spread out amongst my other activities. Once she has the plan put together, I will go to the gym every couple weeks to have her teach me the exercises so I do them properly, then she will monitor and adjust the plan as I go along.

I hope that helps - and that others will chime in with more ideas about pacing, because I think it's really helpful for CP patients!
Posted 12/13/2013 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't felt well in almost 5 months so I guess this helps pace me. It really isn't the pain that keeps me from doing things but the constant headaches, fatigue, nausea, and general feeling of lousiness. So I usually only feel good enough to do a little each day and keep the house running best I can.

If I felt better though, I would try to keep myself at a walk pace and try not to run - and I am not talking about exercise, if you know what I mean.
Posted 12/13/2013 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm also having some trouble pacing myself. Normally, when I get tired or start to feel a little pain, I will stop and rest for a moment then resume, rest, etc. My problem is on my good days, I tend to do too much, play catch up and pay for it dearly.
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