Sometimes, I was so determined to beat this terrible illness that all I did was think about it. I would think about it morning, noon and night (when I wasn’t sleeping, that is!)

I know you want to heal now, instantly, and one of the things that’s so difficult to accept with this whole thing is the longevity of it. When is it going to end? How will it end? Will I wake up one morning and suddenly feel instantly better? It used to drive me absolutely crazy.

Photo taken from here

All I ask of you today, is to take this minute, this hour or this day as a day of healing.

Ask yourself, what do I need today to make me feel better and begin to heal CFS? Even if I wake up tomorrow morning and I’m having a bad day, what I can do for myself today that’ll really make me happy and that I’ll remember tomorrow? What does my body need? What does my spirit need? What does your gut tell you? (Don’t ignore it!)

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or use up lots of your energy, but taking time out to find the little joys and pleasures in life and acting on these impulses can make the difference between a bad day and great day. Give all your energy to whatever little pleasure you have, and do not feel guilty about it for a second- you deserve this and you are really honouring yourself through it. Be present and enjoy. If you’re eating chocolate for example, think about the texture, colour and smell of it, as well as the taste. You’ll find your enjoyment rockets to a whole new level!

Here are a few suggestions:

• eat a piece of dark chocolate
• stop giving yourself a hard time and give yourself permission to enjoy your healing and time out
• listen to your favourite song on repeat
• read a really trashy, not particularly intellectual book or magazine
• eat beautiful fruit
• write down 5 things that you are grateful for
• meditate
• watch a cheesy film or stand-up comedy DVD
• phone a friend who makes you laugh
• go to yoga if you can (or do yoga  in bed- video coming soon!)
• open the window and listen to the birds, breathe in some fresh air
• wear your favourite pyjamas
• book yourself a massage
• cook your favourite meal (if it’s fatty or junk foody, do not feel guilty)
• visualise your recovery and think of all the things you’ll do once you’re 100% again
• say affirmations out loud or in your head
• spend time with your pet if you have one

If you honour and care for yourself regularly and every day, even in a small way, you will really start to see the benefits. This will set you up to form amazing healing habits for your recovery and beyond.

How would you find pleasure in this second, this minute, this hour or this day? Comment below!

Love and time-out,

Katie    xx