Hi, my name is Jenny and I have had ME for nearly two years. Over this time I have tried many different ways to cope and manage my illness. I would just like to share a few of what has worked for me. I hope you find them useful……if you have others why not let Sheila know and she can put them on the website and in editions of ME & U….

* Make sensible choices. For example always choose the lift instead of the stairs, see any opportunity to save energy or give yourself a rest. For example always sit down and deep breathe wherever possible

* Make a positive envelope and write in anything good you have done/achieved and look at it at night/at times when you are low. Remember these things might not be big goals but lower your expectations and be proud of the things you’ve done even if before you were unwell it wouldn’t be seen as an achievement.

* Do five minutes of deep breathing every hour. You will be surprised how much this can calm you down.

* Every time you’re really sad try bursting out laughing. This sounds stupid but can really help.

* If you are feeling very sad or stressed and are in the house try stepping outside the front door or if that’s not possible open a window and breathe in the fresh air. I have always found things don’t seem so stressful when looking outside because I’m sometimes trapped in the house looking at the same things.

* If you are aching of feeling tense if possible ask someone to lightly massage your neck/hands/head or anywhere that feels painful. Or when symptoms become bad try asking someone to itch your arms and legs in a long upward stroke, this can be a ‘distraction’ technique. Another option is to purchase a body brush and using up always in direction of heart as well as distracting it can also increase circulation.

* Get antibacterial gel for your hands. This can help prevent you picking up germs that could lead to colds etc.

* Try and get dressed in the day and put pj’s on at night even if you’re not going anywhere.

* Start a new achievable hobby that can be done in your own time when you feel better e.g. card making, buying and selling on eBay, making easy meals for your family or whatever it is possible for you to do with your ME.

* Try and get up and go to bed at the same time if possible. I know sometimes there seems no point in getting up or you are so tired you could sleep all through the day but if you keep getting up hopefully your body will get more used to it after a while of feeling groggy.

* Drink warm milk before bed to help you sleep

* Eat little and often to avoid dips in blood sugar.

* Try and look out for negative thoughts you are having. Are you always saying I can’t, It’s bad, I always? If you do counteract these with more positive thoughts. Your mind and body are more connected than you think if you are always saying bad things in your head your body will not be feeling good either. If you find it hard to stop thinking negative thoughts use this technique: Shout STOP! Clap and visualise a big red stop sign in your head all at the same time. This is effective because you are seeing something (the sign) hearing something (the shout) and feeling something (the clap).

* Drink as much water as you can each day. This will flush out toxins and generally help your health. You should aim for about 2 litres a day

* Try and do something that relaxes you and do it everyday.
Some examples:
A relaxation tape
Relaxation yoga
‘Furry therapy’ borrow someone’s pet if possible
Listen to a favourite song
Watch favourite part of a movie.