Lift Up Your Everyday
Occupational therapy advice for managing energy
Are you or someone you care for experiencing extreme fatigue?
We’re here to support you.
Overcoming a challenge is easier with help from an expert, and that’s where occupational therapists come in. When you’re ill or recovering from an illness, you’re likely to have less energy and feel tired. A simple task, such as putting on your shoes, can feel like hard work.
In our energy guide, you'll find ways to conserve your energy as you go about your daily tasks. It’s filled with practical advice for people recovering from illness or managing long-term health conditions.
It’s common to have low energy and feel more tired than usual when you’re unwell, recovering from an illness, or managing a long-term condition. Even simple tasks, such as putting on shoes, can be hard work. This can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation and anger that then contribute further to fatigue.
This guide goes through techniques that can help you manage your energy when completing different tasks, through the 3Ps principle (Pace, Plan and Prioritise).
Pacing
- Break activities up into smaller tasks and spread them throughout the day.
- Try adjusting different parts of an activity to reduce the energy demands.
- Build rests into your activities – they’re key to recharging your energy.
- Stop, pause and rest between activities where possible.
- Sit and rest wherever possible.
Planning
- Plan ahead as much as possible.
- Create routines.
- Spread activities out.
- Keep items you need together and in easy reach.
- Look for equipment to reduce effort.
- Measure and track your energy use.
Prioritising
- Be kind to yourself and don’t try to do everything.
- Create a balance of activities you need and want to do.
- Delegate or drop tasks if you can.
- Look for activities that make you feel energised.