Health conditions can have both a physical and emotional toll, for example chronic pain; this can impact your sleep, cause more fatigue and leaves you starting the day just as drained as when you went to bed. A routine can change all that.
Now I’m not suggesting you plan out every moment of your day!
However a well thought through routine can empower your day, lowering your pain levels over all as you’ve optimised the way you have used your body.
It’s worth asking yourself when is your pain worse in the day? What activities does that impact? Make a list. From here you can proactively look at your routine and adjust how you manage your day which in turn should lower your pain levels. An example of this is if you struggle more in the mornings, then lay out what you need (or ask someone to help you) in an accessible place. This will save you time and energy in the morning.
Make sure to include time for you in your routine and space out energy consuming tasks over the day. If there is a task you are particular struggling with think about how it can be altered. For example, when chopping vegetables does sitting on a stool help? Would buying pre-chopped vegetables be a more realistic option? Is there someone else who could do this task for you?
Doing to much will result in a Boom and Bust cycle. Pacing is your friend.
I’ll be live tomorrow night with more on the Boom Bust Cycle.
Dystonia and Me 