Surviving the holidays can be tough for even the most energetic people to get through. For those of us with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) … let's just say, if you don't go into it with the right mindset and a good game plan, you're going to crash around the time your Thanksgiving turkey goes in the oven.
Pacing is never more important than it is during busy times. I learned this the hard way my first Christmas with FMS, and in subsequent years I've learned some tricks that really helped things go better. But when one women shared her survival plan in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum, I knew I'd found something amazing that could help all of us get through the season in better shape.
So now -- with her permission (thanks, Denyse!) and some of my own input -- I bring you the Holiday Season Survival Plan!
The plan comes down to 3 P's - Planning, Prioritizing, and Pacing.
First, the planning.
Make a list of everything you want to accomplish. Be extremely detailed -- include shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping presents, assembling toys and stuffing stockings (if you have young children), attending parties and family functions, etc. Thing about everything you've done over the past few holiday seasons and put it on the list. (Denyse recommends doing this right after the holidays, while your memories are fresh and you're more likely to be realistic.)
