Cosy Moments in a Fatigue Flare

I think it’s so important to find cosy moments in a fatigue flare, because we need more rest and more time alone when this is happening. I thought this week it would be nice to chat about how I create the perfect place to rest.

Recently, I have been experiencing a flare up of my fatigue and I think this could be because we have been grieving. My husband’s mother and one of our dogs, Dexter, have both passed away and this has left us dealing with a lot of emotions.

Quite often an increase of stress or worry, a or a low mood and depression can trigger flares of pain and fatigue. So, we have all been struggling as my mom has multiple sclerosis and my husband has epilepsy which can also cause him to have fatigue.

Because of this, I have been struggling more with low energy and getting through my normal days. I find myself dealing with more brain fog, though I take supplements for that, and need to rest or nap more.

I can often find this frustrating, especially when I actually want to be getting things done and my body is screaming at me to slow down!

Chronic fatigue does not feel like just being tired, and it is actually pretty hard to explain to people who do not live with it. Recently, I had two friends say they could imagine it because one of them was pregnant and struggled a lot with needing to nap and not having energy to do things. My other friend was moving house and with all the stress found themselves unable to think straight.

I have had this symptom for so long now, I struggle to imagine life without it, but with all of the stress and worry it is so much more. Even now, it is 11:30am and I am struggling to stop yawning and my brain is trying to convince me to have a nap!

So, I have been finding myself turning more to reading, and yes, I have always been a big reader! However, reading is the perfect way for me to sit and rest between tasks as just reading a chapter of a book is so lovely to do.

I just love how reading is gentle, restorative, and a way to travel or experience magic when your body needs to stay still. It’s so nice to get cosy and relax as a way to feel less like it is because of my body and more just because it is lovely to do.

Finding the cosy:

Here are some of my best ways to find cosy moments in a fatigue flare I hope they give you more ideas and help you to do the same.

• Pillows – Pillows are important, they can be used to half sit up so you are supported and can fully relax. But also, you can use them to sit your book or kindle on so that you don’t have to use your arms to hold it up. I use a reading/gaming pillow which is brilliant, and my hubby and mom went halves for my birthday last year.
• Cuddly toy – I am a big one for cuddly toys, I have collected teddy bears since I was a child and own hundreds. My favourite I have had since I was a baby, and he perfectly fits under my chin for a cuddle while holding my chin up so I can completely relax. You can also get them that have relaxing scents, or you can even microwave, so they are warm which is lovely. I have one of those who is a dragon!
• Scents – Lighting a candle, or wax melt, or even using a pillow or room spray, if possible, can really give a nice relaxing aura to a room. I use wax melts for this a lot that I get from a witchcraft shop on Etsy but use what you can scents can be triggering for migraine sufferers if they are strong.
• Add your pet – My dog Twig is a Maltese and though he is still a puppy he loves to lie beside me on the sofa and have a nap while I read or doze. Pets can be reassuring and loving as well as easing loneliness that can come when we are struggling with fatigue.
• Choose your platform – I find where and how I consume my books depends on how well I am feeling. Sometimes I can sit up with a physical book in my hands, other times I am laying down with my kindle, or I might be dozing with an audiobook. Whatever works for you with how you are feeling will be perfect don’t feel bad about juggling 3 or 4 books at a time as each is on a different platform, that is definitely how I do it! I love how Amazon made it so when you buy the kindle version of a book you can get it as audio too, just brilliant!

Flares are never easy, and can be very frustrating, but finding cosy moments in a fatigue flare makes all the difference. There is a beauty in slowing down, I know I am so grateful to have learned to lean into cosiness and getting lost in stories and learning that books offer. Let me know what you are reading in the comments.

Spoons and Sparkles xx

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