You Deserve Rest: A Message from Chronic Fatigue

Many who struggle with chronic fatigue also struggle with the chronic need to please others and to perform in order to maintain a sense of value and safety. The fatigue is the brain’s way of sharing its wisdom: we deserve rest; it’s time to stop performing. Only, instead of suggesting it, it is forcing it.

If you struggle with this, next time you lay down to take a nap and you feel that wave of fatigue wash heavily over you, notice what thoughts come: “I’m so exhausted, this is bad. It’s too much! How will I ever complete this, this, and this??” Then notice how you don’t fully relax, even while you lay down, even if you sleep!

What if you instead consciously choose to let go and tell yourself, “Doesn’t it feel so good to be able to lay down and relax? It is safe to rest. I deserve time to recover.” Then, set a timer for, say, 30-60 minutes and let yourself drift, no worries allowed until the timer goes off. It will take time to rewire a brain that’s afraid of rest, but it can be done!

Let me know if you try it and what comes up for you!