Good housekeeping for the very tired, overstretched and poorly

[tiredowl]

Any interest in a tips and support thread? I have chronic fatigue syndrome so have little energy, can't afford a cleaner, but nicer home environment would be a real life if I could achieve it :-)
I don't really have the energy for a full-on flylady thing, and the tone does annoy me a bit, but I am trying to incorporate the principle of little efforts, consistently applied, add up and make a difference, although often I just can't.
Anyone else?

My non-perishables/persil etc are still in bags on the kitchen floor from yesterday

Hello all! I started this thread, assumed no-one would reply, then got too tired to check back I'm sorry there are so many struggling too, but it is nice to have some company. I'm going to have a nice sit down with cup of tea and read all your comments and get inspired. Decluttering really alludes me, I'm quite acquisitive, although not really materialistic,I am attached to my possessions as they mean 'home' to me. Also, since I've had cfs buying things (not with lots of money) has perhaps replaced more creative activities and exercise, neither of which I have energy for any more. But at least having a home for everything would be a start. I have lots of storage furniture and big plastic boxes, so in theory it should work.

Hello TiredOwl! Welcome back.

Today has been a productive day despite a lazy morning.

House is hoovered (not by me)
One load of washing done (dh hung out and brought back in again.
I cooked roast dinner. Dh washed up.
Dc's got school bags /uniforms ready for tomorrow.
Changed my bed. Washing timed to be finished tomorrow morning ready to be hung out first thing.

Resisted the urge to start gardening in the sunshine and instead had a sit down in it and a cup of tea instead. This is real progress for me as I would have overdone it a few months ago.

Result.

Tomorrow is going to be a v quiet day. I normally need a day to recover from the weekend. I may start on since essential ironing as I'm not doing the school run but probably not.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend.

Hi, I have MS and this is all sooo familiar.

Just spotted this thread by chance so I'm placemarking for later, but thought I'd share these pix with you. Frozen crushed garlic and chopped onion save me so much time when cooking.

I've got Multiple sclerosis too, Jessica, and two young children that I can't keep up with

I try to do one job per day. Monday Hoover and mop wooden floors, Tuesday washing, Wednesday clean bathroom, Thursday change beds, Friday shopping, Saturday washing, Sunday dusting and empty bedroom and bathroom bins.

I reorganised the kitchen to place most used items within easy reach and avoid bending and stretching unnecessarily.

I use a reacher to pick up kids toys or brush them in a pile with a soft room to avoid bending over and becoming dizzy (and therefore extra tired).

My OT suggested trying to get 3-4 rests per day, somewhere between 10 min and 30 mins, even if it's a sit down with a cuppa for 10 minutes. Ideally actually switching off (no tv/reading etc as it's brain stimulation).

My Physio suggested buying a linen sack from eBay or amazon and collecting linen to wash from upstairs then throwing it down in the bag, less effort lifting and carrying.

I had a separate linen box in the bedroom for whites only to save separating every wash.

I also fold laundry in piles of who they belong to straight from the line or tumble dryer, so for example, DH on one pile, me on another, DS on another etc. it takes a bit of effort to find space (usually on the floor) but saves time in the long run.

Will come back if I think of anything else!

We are planning half term. Both of us have the week off so we want to attack as much clutter and mess as we can! Needless to say I'll have to be really careful not to overdo it. Thankfully DH can do all the lifting and I'll just be directing and making all the decisions! And we will plan in some nice things too (apart from anything else we need to give the DCs an incentive for helping!)

I'm feeling a bit wrung out from the weekend. I'm a single mum of a 2yo and work full time, I find weekends more tiring in lots of ways than being at work! I recognise what you say Hey about avoiding doing too much. I struggle with this, although i know it is counter productive. But there is no-one to do stuff but me, so I have to try and be strict about what really needs to be done and what can wait. Balanced with the psychological boost of having a decently clean house of course.
Things I do: have baby wipe packs in most rooms - 10 second clean / dust with these when I need to. Thanks to this trick I haven't cleaned the bathroom properly in ages!
Work at home when I can, and do some loads of laundry during the day
Avoid doing anything at all after dd is in bed -just flop on sofa and try to go to bed early.
I long for a dryer and a dishwasher - hanging wet clothes up and washing dishes are my absolutely worst jobs. I'm renting and no room for dishwasher, but I'm going to get a dryer as soon as I can.
Happy energy conservation everyone!

Jessica YY to the chopped onions and garlic, and also pre-chopped chilli, herbs etc. They're great and I still get the chilli (and now herbs). The only reason we have whole onions and garlic now is because DH insists, but he's fine with chopping them, and does it very quickly. I can't remember the last time I chopped an onion or garlic or anything.

Was pretty wiped out yesterday, slept for aaages. Poor DH isn't entirely well but he's more worried about me. I've left him to sleep so hopefully he will get some proper rest today. We'll also be keeping things low key today.

Main issue right now is DC1. Lovely as he is He's very active and going through the final stages of his teething, he's cranky and acting cheekier than usual, and appetite is variable. So running around after him and trying to keep him happy, fed, behaving, is exhausting, on top of already being tired and sore and slow (both DH and I!). We also have some final organising to do in the bedroom before DC2 arrives

However, prepared meals were a success again yesterday! DH is now heartily in support of the new system.

Glad the meal planning is working Larry

Another yes to the chopped chilli and garlic. We also have ginger as make loads of curry.

Feeling exhausted today. Think it's payback from last week which had a too much going on that I just couldn't opt out of combined with dh not being here. Hats off to those of you who are lone parents.

I've put the washing out and now back to bed for the day to try and recover. I thought I'd paced really well yesterday but it's the preceding days that I'm paying for.

It's frustrating isn't it, that the pain doesn't 'catch up' until a few days later - makes it harder to pace myself IME because you don't feel the effects straight away!

I've been resting since 9 but I need to get on with stuff now.

I'll join you all! I'm a single mum (ex sees dd twice a month max. No overnights so v hands off) to a 5 yo who has add/asd (still waiting for official diagnosis) and I work full time. I have pernicious anemia, anxiety and depression. I am too knackered to do anything, I hate housework as it seems endless!

Welcome MissPricklePants that sounds very tough

Too tired to make my dinner tonight - oh dear. Going to aim for early night though.

PS did manage to baby wipe the loo and wash up today though :-)

Morning all!

Yesterday was a write off for me luckily dh was here to pick up the slack.

Was aching all over. Started to feel bit better in time to make dinner.

Chopped an extra onion in prep for dinner tonight. Am making chilli and will freeze a dinners worth.

Am having another quiet day as the rest of the week is going to be busy with parents eve and dh working.

Hope you managed to get something to eat before falling asleep tiredowl.

Just remembered another quick cleaning tip.
If you've got a glass shower screen use a squeegee to get all the water off after each shower. Only takes a min and keeps it cleaner for longer and stops limescale marks.

Hi how's everyone doing? My dh has been away for a night so i've been getting everyone ready for school & childminder this morning and now off to work. Stressful morning as dc were quite naughty & I was rushing so feel exhausted already. It makes me appreciate what dh does every morning normally.

This is probably the wrong place to ask but I need to find some socks for dd 2.5 that are stretchy and easy to put on? Hers all seem so tight and this morning was agony for me trying to put them on her as it hurts my hands and she was getting stressed because I was getting stressed! Can anyone help?

Hi Jemseter. What kind of colours do you like? I find the 100% cotton ones are least stretchy, so try ones that have a % of manmade fibres, maybe in slightly bigger size than she needs? I've had nice stretchy ones from tescos and boots recently, but I don't have a problem with my hands so probably not the best person to be replying!
Sorry you are having a hard day
I'm having a tied day, but working from home at least, so going to do v. small jobs one per hour: just going to empty bathroom bin before 10.

Morning all!

Jemster - I find that tesco are pretty stretchy. I have problems with my hands not working when I'm tired too (so much so that I dropped the dinner on the floor last night )

Hope you've rested to get over all the rushing around.

I'm in pain today. Think I accidentally overdid it yesterday - dh ended up working till 10pm when I was expecting him to be home at 5 pm which meant doing dinner bedtime routine etc by myself. Done the school run this morning and now resting as have school mtg this afternoon. Luckily it's a freezer dinner tonight so that saves me a few activity points

I'm wondering if the cold weather is making a difference to the pain levels. I have raynauds too so need to make sure I stay warm.

Oooh, I think I might come and park my booty here, if you don't mind! Great thread, so thanks for starting tiredowl!

I'm a mum of one, with EDS, POTS, raynauds and mast cell disorder. I work from home/"The Sh*t Tip" and cannot think straight for all the crud around here. Currently on crutches and awaiting 4th surgery in the space of a year. Pacing is definitely a huge issue...I want to do it all but clearly can't anymore!

There are so many great tips on here... My latest light bulb moment has come from having our kitchen slightly modified. After years of discussion, we got some kitchen cupboards re-jigged so they are now pull out drawers. I cannot believe the difference this is making to my days! We put it off for so long because of the cost but if you can afford it, DO IT!

HeyMacWey - a mum at school this morning called me an old lady for wearing gloves in October. I did consider taking one off and freezing her with an Elsa-stylie touch to her arm but thought better of it I find any change in weather makes my symptoms go nuts. The cold weather makes everything ache, as muscles tense up. Have you tried having and Epsom Salt bath? Quickest way to get Magnesium into the muscles (or something), which helps ease off tension.

Warm weather makes my POTS go bonkers and my bp hit the floor. I am evidently a walking barometer and should hire myself out to the Met Office...

Hello bendy - Yes I'd heard about Epsom salts but brain fog meant I'd completely forgotten about them. Have now added them to the shopping list.

Am currently wrapped up in lovely layers and a body warmer and am just about back up to normal temperatures - I knitted myself some lovely wrist warmers which are being put to good use this year

As an aside - what vitamins/supplements, if any, so people take?
I've been taking a general multi vit and bee propolis which is supposed to be good for the immune system. Every time I sit down to do some research I get completely confused about what's supposed to be good.

Oh and another tidying tip that I find useful is hanging a plastic bag on the door handle so it's easy to put rubbish in as you're passing. Not v attractive but easier to get rid of the rubbish than bending down to empty lots of bins.

High dose vitamin C which is chewable orange flavoured 1000mg dose from saunsburys own brand, and high dose vitamin D which is minty flavoured spray, I take 3,000 iu (one spray) each day and buy it cheap from Amazon.

When I remember I take vitamin B complex (ALL of the B vitamins, some have a select few), which helps energy-wise, and a combined magnesium/calcium/zinc tablet if I want muscle relaxants or am suffering insomnia.

welcome bendy do you mean all your kitchen cupboards are now drawers? sounds like such a good idea! I'm renting, but will park that idea for the future. I'm definitely thinking easy-to-clean-and-heat modern

I'm taking a breastfeeding multi vit, but was wondering about getting a proper consultation with nutritional therapist (before they all get banned for promoting supplements) did this before when trying to get pregnant, with good results! I thought it might be good to get kickstarted with an anti-fatigue diet too - I just reach for easy sugar and caffeine these days to get me through the day, when I know it is probably the worst thing. Anyone else tried this?

I'm loving the tips on here - thanks every one. This isn't a new tip, but one I find really helpful. I give bathroom a quick wipe with microfibre cloth / baby wipes when I'm sitting in there during dd's bath.

Also, if there is any spare / findable money, working out the worst,most tiring jobs to pay someone to do, even if from time to time, has really saved me. For me, key ones are lawn moving and leaf-sweeping once a month.

I'm not on an anti fatigue diet as such but I've definitely cut back on processed foods and too much sugar.

I have nuts as a snack when I'm getting hungry and low on energy and they seem to keep me on an even keel.

I've started making my own granola etc and have more healthy choices. I've been using this website as inspiration.

Hello all Made another dish in advance yesterday, one meal in the fridge and another two in the freezer. Made a quick cook meal for lunch (mixed fried rice), we often have leftover rice so it's an easy one, just adding in different leftover/frozen/pre-chopped veg and meat, and some egg. The cooking front is easier now!

I take certain vitamins: vit D (1000iu), vit C (2500mg), B complex (inc. B12 at 2000% RDA), fish oil complex (180/120 EPA/DHA or something like that, I can never remember what they are exactly!), Spatone for iron.

These are quite mid-range - they're not very high, but they're higher than the standard doses you get in average Boots or supermarket vitamins. The Spatone is a new addition, just to try out for now and see how it goes, I was once on a fairly high dose of ferrous fumarate and it has a funny impact on the digestive system so I'd rather something more gentle given I'm not anaemic.

I bought these mainly from Holland & Barrett on offer, but I recommend Healthspan, I have other relatives who use it, the prices are good and you can get high concentrations and specific vitamins. Once I make my way through what I have I will probably buy from there, I wanted to slowly introduce myself to different vitamins on the advice of my GP.

On that note, GP said to focus on a better diet first, otherwise supplements wouldn't have as great an effect and just get filtered through. So I did that, I have a low wheat diet, no diet/low fat/sweetener-based stuff, low caffeine, low red meat, low processed meat, plenty of water, occasional treats... things like that. Where I tend to fall down is not quite enough fruit and veg, but I'm better than before and usually get enough in! I also add certain grains/seeds to meals for digestion, natural fats, oils and such.

I used to use caffeine and sugar as a crutch for tiredness to keep me going, but of course it ends up making it worse, and I do feel much better having moved away from that approach.

I will potentially be adding CoQ10 to my supplements, and possibly calcium/magnesium, but I will look into that later.

The supplements I take I have added over time (over a few months from last summer), and dietary changes started at that time and were amended based on trial and error.

When I got pregnant with DC2 that kind of messed everything up, I've discovered it's normal to feel better whilst pregnant due to all sorts of hormonal business, but in 3rd tri I'm now starting to feel like I used to (I guess the hormones are calming down!), so I was a bit more relaxed before, eg had wheat bread sandwiches, sweets... not in mega quantities, but much more than before, now my joints are back to aching.

Well this was really long again, I could witter for ages about diet and supplements. However these are all recommended for my condition and the absorption of my meds, so it may not be as useful for everyone, I don't know.