| Planning and organizing |
| Switch between tasks that take a lot of energy and those that take less energy. |
| Try to plan ahead so that you aren't doing too many things that take a lot of energy every day or week. |
| Have others help you as much as possible. It helps you get tasks done, and it makes those who want to help feel useful. |
| Combine chores or errands to lower the number of tasks you need to do. |
| Arrange your household so that most activities can be done on 1 floor. |
| Organize ahead of time so that you don't have to rush. |
| Pacing |
| Be sure to get enough rest. Try to rest in between activities. You can also stop to rest before you get tired, even if it means stopping in the middle of a task. |
| Try to avoid bursts of activity, because they can drain your energy. |
| Follow a routine and pace your activities on good days as well as bad days. |
| Positioning |
| Sit to do things when possible. |
| Use assistive devices, which are devices that can help you do things without bending, reaching, or using too much energy. Assistive devices include walkers, scooters, canes, handrails, crutches, and grab bars. |
| Avoid heavy lifting (such as children, pots and pans, and laundry). |
| Use carts or wagons to move things from room to room and place to place. |
| Wear a fanny pack, carpenter's belt, jacket, or sweater with pockets to carry things. |
| Prioritizing |
| Focus on things you enjoy doing. |
| Be realistic with yourself. |
| When you're too tired to eat or shop for groceries |
| Let others help prepare or bring food. Family or friends usually like to help! |
| Shop at less busy times. |
| Meal preparation |
| Have all your ingredients on hand before you prepare a meal. |
| Use mixes or pre-packaged foods. |
| Use cookware that you can serve from. |
| Use small, lightweight appliances. |
| Buy utensils that fit comfortably in your hand. |
| Store items that you use a lot at chest level so that you don't have to bend and reach. |
| Line ovens and drip pans with foil for easier cleanup. |
| Let dishes air dry or use a dishwasher. |
| Childcare |
| Plan activities or outings at places where you can sit or lie down. |
| Use daycare programs. |
| Have your children help with household chores by making a game out of the chores. |
| Work |
| Plan work around your best times of the day. |
| Organize work areas so that your equipment is within easy reach. |
| Take rest breaks. |
| Work part time, if possible. |
| Leisure |
| Plan activities that allow you to sit or lie down. |
| Plan social events for times of the day when you have the most energy. |
