The Pendulum Analogy

First, we need to understand that our body is always striving for balance, aiming to operate in the most optimal way possible. However, when we push our bodies too hard, especially with CFS, we throw our system off balance. Our nervous system then swings like a pendulum, trying to find that stable point again.

The Diagram Breakdown

I’ve drawn a diagram here to illustrate the pendulum effect. Picture a pendulum with a focal point in the center, which represents your nervous system’s ideal balance. This central blue area is your healing zone, where you feel little to no symptoms. The red areas on either side represent different levels of symptoms.

• Level 1 (Mild Symptoms): You’ll feel some symptoms but can still function relatively well.
• Level 2 (Moderate Symptoms): Symptoms increase, making it harder to function.
• Level 3 (Severe Symptoms): Full-blown crash mode, where symptoms are debilitating.

The Pendulum Swing

When you engage in activities, especially if you push too hard, your nervous system gets thrown off balance. For instance, if you go for a five-minute run, your nervous system cranks up, swinging the pendulum far into the red zones. Initially, you might feel okay, but as the pendulum swings back, you experience increasing symptoms before returning to balance.

Over time, and with sufficient rest, the pendulum gradually swings less dramatically, and you spend more time in the healing zone. For someone with a healthy nervous system, this pendulum swing might be barely noticeable. But for those of us with CFS, even minor activities can cause significant swings.

Finding Balance

The key to managing CFS is to find and maintain your balance. It’s crucial to avoid pushing too hard and instead stay within your limits. For example, if you engage in a moderate activity like going to the movies with friends, it might push you into Level 2 symptoms. With enough rest and time, your nervous system will eventually stabilize back to the healing zone.

The more you allow your body to rest and heal, the more resilient it becomes. Your healing zone expands, allowing you to handle more activity without severe symptoms. Initially, your healing zone might be very narrow, but with consistent, gentle activities and ample rest, it gradually widens.

Avoiding the Crash

When you push yourself too far and too often, your body can get stuck in a cycle of constant symptoms, making it difficult to find balance. For me, this happened when I was extremely active, working long hours, and neglecting my body’s needs. My body’s baseline shifted, and I constantly felt symptoms, unable to find relief.

Brain retraining and medication helped me reset my nervous system, but it required a conscious effort to avoid overexertion. The goal is to keep your activities within a range that doesn’t trigger severe symptoms, allowing your body to spend more time in the healing zone.

Practical Tips for Recovery

1. Understand Your Limits: Recognize how far you can push yourself without triggering severe symptoms.
2. Gradual Increase: Slowly increase your activity levels as your healing zone expands.
3. Rest and Recovery: Ensure ample rest periods to allow your nervous system to stabilize.
4. Track Your Symptoms: Keep a journal of your activities and symptoms to identify patterns and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

Recovery from CFS is a journey of finding balance and understanding your body’s limits. The pendulum effect is a helpful analogy to visualize this process. By staying within your healing zone and gradually increasing activity, you can expand your capacity and reduce symptoms over time.

Remember, you are just one mind shift away from living a life with thriving health.