CFS, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a very complex and devastating condition. Individuals suffering from CFS must deal with an overwhelming sense of fatigue as well as host of other symptoms that do not improve with rest and tend to be much worse after any physical or mental activity/exertion.
Quite often, individuals suffering from CFS function at much lower levels of activity than they did before they started suffering with CFS.
In addition to fatigue, some of the other symptoms of CFS include, problems with memory/concentration, muscle pain, and insomnia. Some people have reported that their CFS has lasted for years.
Though there has been some research done on CFS, researchers have been unable to pinpoint what exactly causes it. Additionally, since many other illnesses have fatigue as a symptom, physicians must rule those out before they are able to diagnose CFS.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Even though significant research has been done, results have shown no specific cause of CFS. Though it’s possible that one may be pinpointed in the future, it is also possible that CFS has several different triggers. Some possible triggers are as follows:
- Dysfunction of the immune system
- Low blood pressure
- Certain infections
- Stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
Keeping Yourself Entertained When You’re Suffering From CFS
Everyone knows that lying in bed for days, weeks, or even months can drive you crazy. No one likes to just lie around, everyone likes to be entertained. So, when you’re dealing with the symptoms of CFS, here are a few things that you can do in order to keep yourself from getting bored and losing your mind.
Try some new types of electronic entertainment, including video games
Look up your favorite television show, or maybe a new one that you’ve heard of but haven’t watched yet. Create a “line-up” for yourself of programming to fill up your day. Or, if you’re interested in video games, look up some online ones that can entertain you. However, here are some things you must think about when using electronics to fill up your days.
– You should know that video games can be used to occupy your time, but try not to become addicted to them. It can be easy to become addicted, and then when you’re better, you’ll regret it. So, when it comes to playing these, or any other “idle” activity, make sure to pay attention to your time. Take a break to stretch or get a drink every 30 minutes or so.
– If you’re a student, you must stay on top of your schoolwork- even though it’s probably not the most fun thing you can think of to do. Homework should be spread out over time- don’t save it all until the night before it’s due and cram it all in. If CFS is causing you to miss classes, try to still keep up with your lessons. Have a friend take notes for you, or ask your teacher to keep you filled in.
– If you’re not a student, consider taking up some intellectual hobbies. You may be able to find some online science projects to take part in. If science was your strong suit in school, helping with projects online will be fun for you.
– Consider taking up online activism. Look into some causes that you are passionate about and spread the word on social media sites.
– Get back to the basics, keeping yourself entertained with non-electronic activities.
Staring at a computer screen or television all day long can get old pretty fast- not to mention the problems you could be causing for your eyes. Following are some non-electronic forms of entertainment you should consider when dealing with CFS.
- Read a book- anything you enjoy, or experiment with things outside your typical genre.
- Write letters or articles- consider submitting articles to your local newspaper, or even write an article to explain to others how to do things.
- Play with toys, such as an Etch-A-Sketch or Legos.
- Play board games or pencil puzzles, such as Sudoku or crossword puzzles.
- Get some craft books and learn to knit, crochet, paint, sketch, and more.
- Create or expand your playlists.
Look online and create a playlist for yourself of songs that don’t make you tired or stress you out to listen to when you’re having a relapse of your CFS. Don’t worry about what other people think about it- listen to what you want to listen to. Some individuals find that punk or heavy metal music is more soothing to them than the “soothing” music. Download what you like.
Learn how to play an instrument
Learning new things helps to keep you entertained and keeps your mind sharp. You should be able to find instruments fairly inexpensively, such as drumsticks and practice pad, guitar, and more. Simply search YouTube for some tutorials on how to play.
You can find a tin whistle or penny whistle, which is similar to a flute and is very easy to learn. These are small enough that you can sit in bed with them and they’re pretty easy to learn. Practicing your new instrument will be much easier if you don’t have to get out of bed and move around.
When you’re having a good day, consider cooking for others
When you’re having bad days, you can research recipes and put together meal ideas. Then, on your good days, pull them together to create a wonderful meal.
Make things for other
If you’re learning crafting, consider making things for others. Choose things that you can do on your low energy days, things that don’t require a whole lot of energy and focus.
There are lots of things that you can do to keep yourself entertained on those days that you simply can’t get out of bed. You should know that these suggestions are not all- there are many more things that you can do in order to keep yourself from losing your mind. Do some research online or talk to friends to get more ideas on fun things to do when you’re having a flare-up of your CFS symptoms.
