Pacing

An energy management technique that balances rest and activities in daily life to manage symptoms such as fatigue and chronic pain. The aim is to avoid post-exertion malaise (PEM) and a ‘boom and bust’ cycle of overdoing on one day and then being unable to do anything on the next. It means planning tasks, ensuring there are rest and/or recharge activities in between draining ones, being realistic about needs, and allowing oneself to rest when necessary. These are captured within the 4 Ps Principle: Plan, Prioritise, Pace, Permission.