Updated resource: pacing for people with M.E.
February 18, 2020
Fully revised for 2020, our comprehensive pacing guide is based on the insight and experience of people with M.E.
Pacing is a an approach that can help people with M.E. take control of the balance of activity and rest, and learn how to communicate to others about the balance that usually works best for them. Our resource is based on the practical experience and clinical practice of healthcare professionals, and experiences of pacing shared in our 2019 Big Survey of more than 4,000 people with M.E.
Most respondents (88%) had tried pacing in the past five years, with 70% of those agreeing that they use pacing to do what they feel able to within their manageable limits. Around half (52%) said pacing helped them manage their symptoms, while only 6% said it had a worsening effect. For more findings on pacing, visit our Big Survey page.
Aimed at adults with mild to moderate M.E., Pacing for people with M.E. offers detailed steps to understanding the basics of pacing, analysing physical, mental and emotional activity to help set a sustainable baseline, and using rest and relaxation – an essential part of pacing.
People with M.E. who contributed to told us they wanted a detailed reference guide, which means our guide is long by necessity.
- The essentials of pacing are covered on pages 14 to 27 in the “Your step-by-step pacing guide” section.
- Other things you may find useful in your self-management toolkit come under the “Pacing as part of self-management” section (pages 28 to 52).
We appreciate that some people find a much briefer guide more useful, such as the pacing factsheet published by Emerge (an Australian charity we work with as part of the International Alliance for M.E.), and we would love to hear from you about what you have found most helpful. If you have feedback about this or any Action for M.E. resource, please do get in touch.
