Great idea for a post. I am also eating lots of veg. Am on a low carb diet, with no dairy or sugar. Taking probiotics which are helping my immune system. Gone chemical free with all cosmetics. Seems to be helping. Listening to my body and exercising when I can (lying down).

Also using sleep hygiene, and although I wake a lot am getting 9-10 hours a night.

Finding things to distract myself from the boredom of being housebound, voice dictation, reading, meditating. Being as hopeful and positive as possible.

Hey, great idea, Richie! I had a garden in the summer and will have one again next year. I am trying not to eat a lot of "white" things like sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. I am giving myself permission to blow some responsibilities off. I'm making sure that those I count as friends are truly acting like friends to me. If they are not, I move on. As always, I pray and pray and pray. Much love to all of you. Happy New Year!

These are all very good and helpful things everyone is doing.

For me, most of this is survival strategies. I have cut out on
gluten and grains. I do occasionally eat rice and I eat a lot of
quinoa. Next. I enjoy veggie, fruits, and then some times chicken.
I have taken out yogurt, cheese and eggs. I am doing a sort of
elimination diet of sorts and so far it is working very well. I can
tell because my digestion is calm most of the time. I was
working with a nutritionist for three months, but the supplements were too much for my system. I am taking what I
learned from that, and working with it. In addition to the CFS,
I also have Lyme, which is a big bug a boo unto itself. It
mainly effected my digestion so that's why I have to pay
close attention to that part
Otherwise, I do a lot of art projects and take a
class. It is my passion and keeps me focused on something
which I enjoy. Granted, I have days when I am not able to
always go to the class and things pile up, but overall, I am
happy to say I can get out and bring some good moments
home. I also have a small dog with a good quirky
personality who is my dearest friend.
Yes Having strategies and determination is
most important. If I hadn't 'slogged through' many of
the obstacles I faced, I know I wouldn't be doing as well
as I am today. Granted, a ways to go, but I feel you
all get the sense of what I'm attempting to say.

Coloring books! Seriously! I kid you not! I got an adult coloring book for Christmas. I was absolutely shocked to find out that I am one of the last people to know about this joyful experience for relaxation. I've not even SEEN a coloring book since my g/children were...children, which was years ago. These books are very detailed. You use colored pencils and pens. It's a challenge, lemme tell ya!! But when you are done with one of these pictures, and you are getting better and more creative with what's in front of you...you feel WILD!! It's so good to accomplish something artistic. Again, I was shocked to find out how many of my friends, with and without CFS/ME have been doing this for a long time.

Other coping strategies for me are simply necessary. ANY coping strategy, to keep my anxiety level down. I have actually eliminated some very "stressful, dramatic" people from my life. It had to be done. I can't handle people's pity parties when they go on and on and on.......I will listen to my friends, but some people just like to dump! I have picked them out and eliminated them. In a kind way. It had to be done.

I also keep a very strict schedule. This means, bedtime, same time...every night. Meal time? Same time, as much as possible. Not to be TMI, but this keeps my bowels on a schedule as well, and that is good for me.

Finally, I lost my husband to cancer this year, and that, being a HUGE stressor led me to a Grief Share program to help myself. We, with chronic illness, need help just to get through the day, energy wise. When we suffer emotional loss, the physical burden seems worse.

I guess I an finally learning to reach out for help when needed. To not blame myself for being sick with this stupid illness, and to treat my body kindly!! We all need to learn this lesson. People with chronic illnesses tend to be very hard on themselves, and I, for one, am going to stop that nonsense! This is not my fault. Period!

Good post, Richie! xo

i get plenty of rest, drink protein shake, and veggie drink and put in a scoop of energy revitalization system by enzymatic & jacob teitelbaum, dr who has chronic fatigue. eat lots of raw veggies, healthy soups & salads, nuts & seeds and plenty of alkaline water.
do a lot of walking whenever i can. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! and of course stay far far away from stresssssss

Stress is a big negative for us, Lori...I think we all agree on that. I've found that just getting outside is an important stress reliever for me. Even when I lived in upstate New York, I would get outside on weekends in winter and go for walks. It especially seems to help if you get a little sun, which has been proven to fight depression.

I get a rash now if I get too much sun, and my legs don't work too well anymore, so I do a lot of gardening and grounds maintenance. Being outside for a few hours each day can dramatically change my mood for the better. If it's cold where you are...layers, layers, layers...LOL. You get used to the cold after a while...then it feels too hot indoors.

Alone time is my biggest coping tool. Right now that takes the form of my daily Bible reading and prayers. No one bugs me when I'm doing that. :)

I don't eat much these days, but keep it mostly protein and vegetables.

Admitting that there are some things I cannot do.

I am coping better than the last few years simply because this is the first time we haven't been either taking care of my MIL, packing, moving, selling and buying a house for the past 7 yrs. This is a period of grace for the next few months before late spring when there is a deck to be pulled apart and redone and the noise will be quite a distraction. I have an old fashioned housewifes schedule. Sunday cooking, Monday laundry, Tuesday vacuum and dust, Wed bills, Thursday laundry/shopping, Friday vacuum. Sat, off with hubby. General pickup and cleaning daily if I'm up to it. This is easiest for me as I don't get off track when I have a schedule. I don't try to do more than I have scheduled. I don't watch much tv at all, perhaps 2 shows a day. The pc is generally off but for my 3xday check ins and I'm now wearing a watch so I don't check my phone for the time because I get sucked in and end up with a headache. When hubby is at home unless we are watching tv together he wears wireless headphones. He's a channel surfer and it makes me insane. If they are dead I wear ear buds and listen to soft music. I meditate once a day. Diet wise I have found through testing and just plain experimentation that I really just have to eat meat and non starchy veggies. I can have a piece or two of maple candy daily but that's it, not even eggs or dairy... It stinks because I love food so much but it's how I can function best so it is what it is.

I'm sure diet is very important. I read an article the other day, several people with chronic fatigue were talking about Vyvanse. Their energy returned, their brain fog improved. Basically, everything that goes along with CFS improved, they felt like they were back to their old selves. Has anyone else read anything about the medication Vyvanse? Thanks for the input everyone!

Hi, Kelly. I haven't heard of it, but I may do some digging around online to see what I find. Thanks for the information.

Hi Kelly . Just wondering what a drug for ADHD has got to do with CFS?

DariaC - wow, I agree. I too discovered coloring books and crocheting last year and they both help my stress levels. I am not artistic at all, but have found (a msg here for me??) that keeping the number of colors I use on the low side (6-7) is low stress, the pictures look better. hmm. In addition - I cut out gluten (well - I fall off the wagon once in awhile), low fat, fresh as possible. I am working to get us as much off the gris as possible so I put in a large garden last year and will do so again this year. I freeze what we do not eat. I have a treadmill and rowing machine at home and yoga videos that I use. Great idea's from everyone. Thank you!