What to Do When You Crash: Navigating the Toughest Moments of CFS Recovery
When you’re navigating your CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) journey, there will inevitably be times when you feel like you’re at rock bottom. A term that often gets thrown around to describe these moments is “crashing.” But what exactly does it mean to crash, and how do you handle it?
In this blog, I want to shed some light on what crashing is, how it differs from other stages of recovery, and the best strategies for dealing with it when you hit that wall.
What is Crashing?
Let’s be clear from the start—crashing is much more intense than the usual ups and downs you might experience during recovery. The term “crashing” often gets used interchangeably with “adjustment periods,” but they’re not the same thing. I’ve made a video that dives deep into the difference between these two, which I highly recommend watching (you can find the link at the top).
A crash is when your body is completely wiped out. You’re bed-bound, physically unable to move, and emotionally drained. If you’ve ever been through a crash, you know exactly what I mean: it feels like your body is shutting down. The symptoms are overwhelming—everything hurts, your heart races, your thoughts are foggy, and even getting out of bed seems impossible.
But here’s the good news: You’re not back at square one. You haven’t undone all your progress. Crashes can be challenging, but they’re not the end of the road.
Handling the Storm: A Mental Battle
Imagine you’re sailing on a ship across the ocean. The journey ahead of you is long, and the sea is unpredictable. Sometimes, you’ll face storms—like a crash. When you do, your job isn’t to fight the storm, but to hold on and stay steady.
When you crash, mentally you feel like you’re being tossed around by a raging storm, with no control over the situation. However, mentally holding on for dear life and staying calm can make all the difference. The calmer you are, the faster you’ll come out of it.
Don’t Feed the Fire with Panic
Here’s where people often go wrong: panic and negative thinking. When you’re crashing, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking: “Am I going to survive this?” “Did I mess up my recovery?” “Will I ever get better?”
These thoughts can be dangerous. They can exacerbate the symptoms and make the crash feel worse than it actually is. Remember, the damage is done, and the best thing you can do is reduce the emotional charge tied to the situation.
If you start thinking that you’re back at square one, you’re making the situation much worse. Crashes can be intense, but they don’t last forever. If you let fear and panic control your thoughts, you’re feeding the storm. Instead, try to focus on being as neutral as possible. Accept that the crash is uncomfortable, but that’s all it is—temporary.
The Importance of Staying Neutral
You won’t always be calm during a crash, but the goal is to keep your emotions in check. Every time your mind spirals into panic, it feeds the crash. The more neutral you can be about the situation, the quicker you’ll come out of it.
Think of it as damage mitigation. There are certain things you can’t control, but there’s a lot you can do to minimize the damage. This is where mental resilience comes in. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the symptoms, try your best to view them as a temporary glitch in the system. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s not life-threatening.
The Key to Recovery: Mitigating Damage
Crashes are going to happen. The key is how you respond to them. You won’t be able to change the course of the storm, but you can limit the damage. Keep reminding yourself that you’re not dying, even though it might feel like it in the moment. Your body is not failing you; your nervous system is just overstimulated and glitching out.
In my own experience, when I felt like I was heading into a crash, I had to constantly remind myself: “This will pass. I’ve been through this before, and I can make it through again.” The more you can get to a neutral mindset, the less you’ll fuel the fire of your symptoms.
Practical Tips for Dealing with a Crash
While there’s no quick fix when you’re crashing, here are a few tips that can help you handle the situation better:
-
Stay as Neutral as Possible: Try not to give in to negative thinking. Just because you’re feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’ve undone all your progress. Acknowledge the crash, but try not to let it consume your thoughts.
-
Resist the Urge to Push Through: Crashes are your body’s way of saying, “You’ve overdone it.” Use this time to rest and do absolutely nothing. It’s okay to do nothing—your body needs this rest.
-
Don’t Overthink: When you crash, it can be easy to think you’ve made a mistake or pushed yourself too hard. But overthinking only adds fuel to the fire. Simply rest, let your nervous system calm down, and trust that you’ll bounce back.
-
Change Your Environment: Sometimes, changing your physical environment—like moving to a different room or having someone help with small tasks—can be helpful. A new setting can interrupt the negative thought cycles and offer you a little mental relief.
You Are Not Back at Square One
One of the most important takeaways here is that a crash does not mean you’re back to square one. Even if it feels like you’re right back where you started, you’re not. Crashes can make you feel like you’re regressing, but in reality, they are simply a deeper part of the recovery process.
So when the crash happens, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, hold on, and remind yourself: This is temporary. The storm will pass, and you’ll come out of it stronger, just like you have before.
Join the Recovery Academy Program
If you’re struggling to navigate these tough moments alone, the CFS Recovery Academy Program can help. With personalized coaching, group calls, and support tailored to your needs, you’ll learn how to respond to crashes and adjustment periods in the healthiest way possible.
The program is designed to meet you where you are, help you through the storm, and ensure you’re progressing toward recovery. So if you’re ready to get the help you need, click the link below to apply.
https://www.cfsrecovery.co/apply
You’re Not Alone
Remember, you are a thriver. Even in the midst of a crash, you can emerge stronger. Keep the hope alive, and trust in the process. You’re one step away from thriving health.