After a long break, the show is back up and running (well, sitting!) - a welcome to new listeners, and some brief intro advice to people who may have sought out the podcast because of Long Covid. Tap into the wisdom of the ME/CFS community in regards to Exercise: contentiously, perhaps counter intuitively, not recommended. Try restorative rest, and pacing instead - so as not to exacerbate or develop ME/CFS, as it's an established origin story for many ME/CFS sufferers who pushed themse...
We cannot think our conditions away - we cannot 'positive vibes' or yoga or meditate them away - they are not figments of our imagination, or lifestyle failings. This week I talk about acceptance - many of the tips I share in this podcast are for self care / managing mental health / adjustments we can make in lifestyle or mindset etc. This is to support and ease our experience of chronic illness, NOT as a cure, or based on a belief that the origins of the illness are in the mind/lifest...
Our society places a lot of pressure on "achievements" in a very limiting way, and the value placed in a limited definition of "productivity" can be alienating and emotionally destructive for those of us with chronic conditions who cannot perform tasks in this way. We need to re-learn how we view "productivity", place the focus on how we *spend our time* whether or not a task gets done. In this episode I discuss my own struggles with this "Productivity Myth" this week as I try and 'kon...
This week I give you an exercise - daily gratitude lists. I explain what they are, why they are invaluable and transformative, and how to do them - following Gillian Anderson & Jennifer Nadel's format taken from their book "We: A Manifesto". This exercise is extremely useful for my fatigue management, because of its' cumulative effect on mental health, it can pull you through on bad days. Fatigue is not only 'pure fatigue', but the things that pile on top of it and affect your overall exp...
In this episode, I explain The Spoon Theory, and why you may hear some people refer to themselves as 'spoonies' in the chronic illness/disability community. How the adorable analogy works, where it originated, and how it is used - as well as why I don't use it, in favour of my own analogy about phone battery! I also call for any examples of representation in the media in terms of characters with chronic fatigue, citing the new series of She-ra as an example of excellent representation ...
In a special standalone episode, I talk about how those of us with chronic conditions (or invisible illnesses) can be dismissed, disbelieved or gaslit by doctors, and talk about my own experience with this which resulted in dangerous, debilitating illness. Important to note: this was recorded BEFORE Covid-19, I stand in full support of the NHS and the amazing work that the gamut of NHS staff do. They ARE heroes, and need to be treated, paid, supported systemically as such - coronavirus...
Fatigue means you have to prioritise your time and energy, which feels limited, and valuable. This week I'm talking about the benefits of outsourcing tasks where possible, using my own podcast as an example, and telling you not to feel guilty about this. Accepting help / not doing everything yourself, *has* to be a mindset for those of us with chronic fatigue. Use it to become grateful for the people around you whom you can lean on. People like to feel useful, especially for thos...
What words do we use to describe our daily experience of chronic fatigue? Tired? Exhausted? Knackered? Fatigued? Sleepy? This episode explores the Terminology of fatigue, how the words we choose affect how others view our experience, the limitations of the words, and asks: are there better ones? Also introducing Graded Exercise Therapy during lockdown - and after having had coronavirus. How to get back on the GET program - my experience with it so far. Also featured: a noisy bi...
In this episode, helpfully released after the first one (facepalm), I introduce myself (Steph Dylan) as the host of the Podcast, and explain briefly my journey with chronic fatigue following NMDA Encephalitis, as well as what to expect from the Podcast. Artwork by Gem Davis Music by Oliver Blake Follow the podcast on social media @beingtiredpod