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Spring 2002

One to One
Tips, strategies, ideas and helpful thoughts about CFIDS

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips

1. Learn to say "no" - or "yes". "No" to the things that zap your energy. "Yes" to offers of help if you need it.

2. Prioritize. Plan what you most want to accomplish, then balance rest with activity. Sit or lie down whenever possible.

3. Use an answering machine. Let it monitor your incoming phone calls; only talk when you wish to and are able.

4. Simplify your clothing and makeup choices; choose a "wash and go" hairstyle or one that needs little extra care.

5. Shower sitting down. If you don't have a built-in seat, try a plastic outdoor chair. It's an inexpensive alternative.

6. Take it with you. Use a small basket with a handle to keep necessary items close at hand. You can carry things such as a phone, bottle of water, tissues, remote controls, paper and pen or any other items you like to have handy. Take the basket from bed to chair or wherever else you go.

7. Straighten your bedding while you are still in bed. That way, when you get up it just takes a flip of the corner to finish making the bed.

8. Cook ahead. When you're able, prepare things that can be used in more than one meal - such as a roasted chicken or cooked beans. Also try to plan simple, few-ingredient, one pan, or slow-cooker meals.

9. Use a disabled parking placard. You can get an application from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (for your convenience, try their Web site). The form simply requires a signature from your health care provider.

10. Pack groceries smart. When grocery shopping, have your perishable items packed separately from the other groceries. That way, you can put them in the refrigerator or freezer right away, while other groceries can wait to be unpacked if necessary. Use a grocery list to save time and energy. Better yet, find others who can shop for you or find a store that delivers.

Staci R. Stevens & Eloise Potratz Staci R. Stevens is chairman of the Workwell Foundation, an organization committed to improving quality of life for people with CFIDS and other chronic illnesses. For more information, see http://www.workwellservices.com. Eloise Potratz is a person with CFIDS who lives in Stockton, Calif.

Low energy floor-cleaning
Here's an easy, energy-conserving way to wash the kitchen floor: Whenever you are left with a small piece of clean paper towel, use it to wipe a two- to three-square-foot area of the floor. If you do this on a regular basis, the whole floor will remain clean - and you won't be exhausted from doing it.
Valerie Glodzik, Kempton, Pa.

One to One relies on readers to provide advice and ideas. If you have tips or strategies for coping with CFIDS and related disorders, please share them with fellow readers. Send your ideas to the Chronicle by e-mail at chronicle@cfids.org, or by regular mail to The CFIDS Association of America, PO Box 220398, Charlotte, NC 28222-0398, attention: Editor.

Self-Massage for MPS

People with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can use this at-home, self-massage technique for pain relief: Place the fingertips of both hands on the painful area. Move the fingers up and down in the opposite direction (if you move the fingers on your left hand up, move the ones on your right hand down). Do this for 30 seconds or so. Then place your fingertips on the same painful area and move them so that you alternately squeeze the skin together and stretch it apart. The idea is to break up the painful areas and help the blood circulate better. People with MPS also may benefit from self-massagers. Units with different-sized balls on the ends can help apply pressure to trigger points, as is done with standard myofascial release massage. We use a self-massager to help soothe pain in our daughter's back. It is much easier than regular massage, and it feels wonderful.
Reprinted with permission from The Lyndonville Journal
Mary Robinson, Medina, N.Y. Co-author, "A Parent's Guide to CFIDS"