Quarantine Fatigue: Do you have it? People with MG are acquainted with the “F” word every day, but COVID-19 has introduced us to a whole new level of exhaustion. It’s the lack of motivation for me, feeling no need to get up and do anything because there really is nothing to do (or so my mind tells me). Moreover, I find myself less inclined to do the “boring stuff” such as doing the dishes or cleaning up the apartment because there is no reward or “fun stuff” to balance out the former. I end up laying around on the couch, playing on my phone, and not giving my mind and body what they might need: movement.
Research has shown that the mind/body connection goes hand in hand and it’s no coincidence that you can’t spell emotion without motion. But you might be thinking, “I have MG. How do you expect me to move when I am so weak and tired?”
The answer is I don’t.
MG affects each and every one of us differently, and how we choose to manage symptoms is entirely up to each individual. Listening to your body is an acquired skill and one that takes time to develop. In spite of living with this disease for more than a decade, I still struggle with knowing how much to push myself versus how much I should allow my body to recover. But I also know that for me personally, taking a holistic approach to my health has definitely enhanced my wellbeing both physically and emotionally. Nevertheless, if I need to rest—I rest.
I was trying to brainstorm ways people with MG can move without overexerting themselves, but then I quickly reminded myself that what may be easier for one person might not be as straightforward for another. Instead, here are a few tips that have allowed me to become more in tune with what my mind and body need:
-Read your mind and body. Ask yourself, how am I currently feeling, both physically and emotionally? Why am I feeling this way? Assessing whether you feel strong or weak, happy or sad, motivated or listless (just examples) and why you feel a certain way will allow you to become more skilled in understanding what your body needs or wants in the future.
-Document these feelings and actions. Whether that is making a conscious effort to generate a mental note or literally writing them down, doing so can provide something to refer back to and make you more aware of your feelings and emotions.
-Brainstorm ways to continue or discontinue that feeling. What is going to make me feel better? What is going to make me feel worse? Don’t be afraid to experiment with trying things even if that means meditating or moving. With MG, it’s trial and error and making it a point to learn your tricks and triggers is essential when managing this disease.
-Reflect and repeat this cycle. You might be surprised and discover something about yourself that you never knew.
I have implemented this method into my own life as I have been coping with some lower back pain which happens to be a side effect of one of the medications I am on. Additionally, I realized this pain was also a result of laying down for too long in one position. Now I make it a priority to move my body even if that means just getting up and walking from one end of my apartment to the other. It’s the little things that ironically make a big difference.
Moving your body and managing a chronic illness is not a natural pair. Sometimes it’s impossible and the two can contradict each other. Yet, our bodies were meant and made to move. Movement is another type of fuel for our bodies, just like rest, water, and nutrition. Whether it’s a slow shuffle, a quick stroll, or a speedy stride, a little move and groove may just help.
#MGA #MyastheniaGravisAssociation #MGADigest #MGStrong #MyastheniaGravis #IHaveHeardOfMG #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #AutoimmuneDisease #NeuromuscularDisease #MoveYourBody #MindAndBody
This blog post was written by Meridith O'Connor, St. Louis Program Coordinator of the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
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