If I had to specify one thing that got me over this illness the first time, I would say it was learning how to approach life with relaxed effortlessness. For me, there is an awful lot of meaning contained in those two words so I’ll break it down a bit. Not forcing or exerting. … Read more
The way I manage my energy nowadays has become pretty unconscious. If you count both episodes of this illness I’ve had over 8 years of practise. But it all comes down to a few guiding principles. 1. Awareness of energy level Because of the way my energy level can change on a daily basis, … Read more
How many of us used to eat on the run? Walking along the street between meetings? Standing up in the kitchen? Gulping food down quickly without really chewing it? Or munching on something whilst focusing all our attention on something else, be it work, a computer screen or a TV? Digestion is a complicated … Read more
Following on from my post about the benefits of mediation I’d like to share with you the basics of my meditation practice. I always start with a breathing exercise called ‘alternative nostril breathing’ to help settle me down ready for the meditation proper In a comfortable straight backed position (lying or sitting) use your right … Read more
There has been quite a lot of confusion about the involvement of gut problems in ME/CFS. Many, but not all, sufferers report problems with food intolerances or IBS, and both Coeliac disease and Candida overgrowth have been claimed as the cause of ME/CFS. When I was first ill I read a book claiming candida overgrowth … Read more
Meditation is part of my daily routine, a part that I’m rarely tempted to miss because of the ways I believe it helps me and because I always feel better afterwards. I believe that there are three levels of benefit from meditation. 1. Relaxation and stabilising the nervous system The first and most immediate benefit of … Read more
I’m a big fan of yoga, before my last major set back, I used to practise nearly every day. Now that my energy is starting to return, I’m starting to get down onto my mat a little more often again and remembering why I love it. I do a very gentle routine of about 20 … Read more
T’ai chi is a wonderfully gentle form of movement and exercise that can be appropriate to all levels of physical ability. It can also result in increased energy levels which are particularly noticeable if your energy levels are low in the first place. T’ai chi along with Chinese medicine (and a number of other alternative … Read more
This isn’t another book review as promised. I’m writing this on the day before my holiday and I haven’t got done what I’d hoped to get done by now. Mainly because I’ve not been doing very well for the last 3 weeks, I’ve been experiencing a bit of a relapse. I’ve decided the book review … Read more
Completing the theme of sleep disturbance there is one more tool that I have found useful: Essential oils. I have successfully used a variety of essential oils in my battle to tackle sleep disturbance. They can be used in various ways. A few drops can be added to water in an oil burner for a … Read more
