Fuel for the Journey

By Lin Mouat

 

 

Managing Your Energy

        

I used to be able to force myself to do more than my body allowed. In the past, I've often pushed to the point of feeling sick – something I wouldn't recommend. I got away with overdoing for many years, until, over a period of time, physical ailments assailed me - each one depleting me more.

 

By the time I had bilateral strokes, I was already struggling with the affects of Fibromyalgia, and the strokes pretty much drained my energy.

 

A few of the things that can affect our energy are:

 

• Medications
• Physical difficulties
• Age
• Level of activity, which for many of us can be dictated by our physical and pain issues
• Lack of sleep. I think that sleep patterns is an individual thing.
• Attitude.

 

At six years post-strokes, while there is improvement, my energy level varies widely from day to day. All of us start out the day with a finite amount of energy, some days less, some days more, some days none. The first step in allocating our energy is to be intimately aware of our limitations. We need to listen to our bodies. Take an inner daily inventory of your store of energy and decide what you want to do with that energy.

 

Some energy drains include:

 

• Walking
• Showering, getting dressed
• Talking
• Working on the computer
• Some kinds of reading
• Entertaining guests
• Light housework, such as, dishes, laundry, dusting
• Eating
• Thinking, not a passing thought but focused thinking such as writing an article. My cognitive impairments make it challenging to bring together the pieces of thoughts and research to create a cohesive article.

 

Everything we do expends energy. One of my biggest energy is walking. Around the house I often use a walker. Outside, I either use a cane or walk holding Gary’s arm, or use my scooter.

 

What time of day is your energy at its highest? For me, it’s morning from about 7 to 11. So I use that time to do the things that are most important to me.

 

Recently we moved to be near our grandkids. They’re very active in baseball, but the games are always at 6pm. I have no energy that late in the day so, as a rule, I don’t attend.

 

 To preserve what energy we have, we have to be able to say no – even to things that should be fun. I’ve found that other people don’t understand so I don’t try to explain.

 

 Ways to make to most of our energy:

 

1

Prioritizing daily

In any daily plan, we must learn to recognize the difference between what is important and what is urgent.

2 Exercise
3 Rest when tired
4 Don’t overdo
5 Do something you enjoy each day
6

Don't be too proud to ask for or accept help

This is a hard one. However, if I don't ask, how is anyone to know? Most of us are used to being independent and in the wake of our strokes, or other physical problems, our need to feel independent is especially dear.

 

However, accepting help might mean more energy for something else.  And asking for help gives the other person the gift of being able to give. Most people are happy to help. It's most helpful if you can come up with specific ways you need help.

7

Don't be afraid to say "no" to yourself or others

When I push myself beyond my limits, there are consequences -  my pain level sky rockets and the symptoms from mental fatigue increase, making my speech slurred and thinking hard

   

 

Setting limits is hard. However, in order to make the most of your energy and your quality of life, it is essential. In a post-stroke world in which much is out of our managing our supply of energy is largely under our control.

 

 

In August we’ll look at handling our hidden deficits – those things, both physical and cognitive, that don’t show. And, wisdom in sharing with others.

 

Please share with me your thoughts, questions, and ideas. Contact me at lmouat@strokenetwork.org

 

Copyright © July 2010

The Stroke Network, Inc.

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