💖 With #MECFS This Gentle Stretching Routine Works for #ME Maybe it Will Work for You Too.

Mindfulness and pacing and respecting our own current capacity for activity when Living with ME/CFS or Long COVID is extremely important. When dealing with conditions like ME/CFS or Long COVID, it is crucial to approach gentle exercise, such as stretching, with mindfulness. It's best to start with a slow pace, gradually increasing or decreasing the duration and intensity of your exercise or stretching to align with how your body reacts. You are the best judge of your body's capabilities, and it's essential to listen to what it's telling you.

Breathing deeply and slowly can help to improve oxygenation and reduce stress.

Use as little or as much effort that feels right to you. You don't want to exacerbate symptoms. You want to relax and de-stress. There is no need to imitate me or any image of what stretching and yoga look like. Always, always, respect and honor your body and your current limitations. Clue: it should feel good. If it doesn't feel good, then don't do it.

It is very important to listen to your body and not push yourself beyond your limits.

Overexertion can exacerbate symptoms and lead to a worsening of your condition. Being mindful of your body, and paying attention to any sensations of pain, discomfort or fatigue, can help you to avoid injury and maintain a safe practice. The idea is to be mindful of your body and what types of movement or stretching feels good and nourishing to you.

Both slow easy yoga and slow easy stretching can be beneficial, as they can help to improve flexibility, relieve tension, and promote relaxation. And if done mindfully and respectfully of your current energy levels and capacity, you can get some good exercise without exacerbating chronic fatigue symptoms.

Props, such as blankets or blocks, can be used to support the body and make postures more relaxing and accessible. Feel free to experiment with what works best for you. But, always respect your current level of fatigue - how many spoons do you have?

As you probably know, your capacity and tolerance for activity can change from day to day so what felt good yesterday may be too much for today. Really, the key to success is listening and responding to you body from moment to moment.

I call it "coming in under the radar" as I am constantly, and to the best of my ability, choosing activities and activity levels that won't cause any regrets. This is a skill that you must develop for yourself as everyone is different. Be aware of what you can do without activating symptoms ( the radar alarms ) and do that.

Disclaimer: I am not a physician. It may be important to consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise program, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition like Chronic Fatigue.

Also, if you can afford it, a qualified yoga instructor or physical therapist who is experienced in working with individuals with chronic illness can also provide guidance and support. If you look around, I'm sure you can find a good yoga instructor to come to you home. Yoga teachers are generally very kind, compassionate and caring people.

Let me know how it goes for you in the comments section. Please feel free to ask questions too. Gentle yoga and stretching have been my go to for exercise and relaxation. And as long as I don't overdo it, has been very compatible with not exacerbating symptoms.

Good luck everyone!

May you find peace, joy, and well-being on your journey.

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Being successful with chronic fatigue requires what I call "an economy of spoons'.
If you haven't already read "The Spoon Theory" you can find it available here: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/