Vicki McKenna

One of the symptoms of PPS is often severe fatigue. We can rebuild energy by practising relaxation techniques and watching what we eat. In this way we protect ourselves from becoming stressed and damaging our sensitive nervous systems. We need also to focus on our outer environment and start to make changes in our homes and at work that will also help the process of sustaining and conserving energy.

When we stop pushing ourselves and start to slow down, it helps if we simplify our environment. In this way, we empower ourselves by taking control of our daily lives and conserving energy. All it takes is some planning and organising, plus a little help from friends and family in the first instance. Here are some of the ways you can alter things around the home so that you have energy left to enjoy life!

-Let go of being house proud - life is not only too short to stuff a mushroom, it is just not long enough to bother with energy sapping activities such as ironing or drying dishes! I leave the dishes to drain and anyone who wants ironed clothes in my house knows to do it themselves! A bit of dust never hurt anyone and there are many more interesting things to do with your time than spend it hoovering all day! If you can afford it get a cleaner in a couple of hours a week to do the heavy cleaning. If money is a problem find out if your local authority can provide you with a home help.

-Plan a housework timetable. I clean the bathroom and the kitchen 2x per week. I reckon these rooms are top priority - the rest gets done 1x per fortnight.
-Make sure cleaning materials are on each floor to avoid going up and down for them.
-Get a dryer or a couple of clothes horses to eliminate having to hang out washing.
-Get a downstairs loo put in if possible to save trips upstairs.
-Standardise menus and shopping lists as much as possible.
-Always use a trolley when shopping.
-Never lift heavy objects if you can help it. Ask someone and failing that drag or slide the object.
-Use lightweight equipment around the house e.g. hoovers, cooking utensils etc.
-Use long handled tools to avoid bending and stretching.
-Put items frequently used within easy reach to avoid reaching up to a top shelf etc.
-Use devices such as jar openers to conserve energy.
-Work at a comfortable height preferably whilst sitting.
-Tilted desks lessen strain on the upper back.
-Pack a lightweight camping seat to take out with you.
-Raised flowerbeds and pots can be used for growing flowers and vegetables.
-Use remote controlled devices such as for the TV, and invest in an answer machine to save hurrying to answer the phone! Install several phones all over the house.
-Get food delivered as much as possible. I have an organic vegetable delivery 1x a week. Your local health food shop may have details of a similar system. Your local supermarket may also accept orders by phone.
-Use a rucksack to distribute weight more easily.
-Make lists. Short-term lists define the goals for today. Put on the top of the list that which really needs to be done. Now cut that list by half by crossing out everything you have classified as non-essential!
-Learn to ask for help and learn to say no!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vicki McKenna was born in 1951 and contracted polio the following year. She spent her childhood years abroad in Pakistan and this upbringing fostered an interest in the wisdom of other cultures, which ultimately led her to gain a BA degree in History and Religious studies in 1973. After this, she went on to have four daughters and then, becoming interested in holistic medicine, trained as an acupuncturist at the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Leamington Spa with Professor Worsley from 1981 gaining her Lic Ac. in 1984. She is now based with her family in Glasgow, where she practises acupuncture and writes for various journals and on line magazines. In 1999 she published "A Balanced Way of Living: Practical and Holistic Strategies for Coping with Post Polio Syndrome". Vicki's web site is www.share.force9.co.uk and details of how to order her book can be found on it or e-mail vmckenna@hotmail.com for details.