Disease Management

Energy Conservation Techniques

The 4 P’s of Energy

Plan

  • Evenly distribute harder tasks throughout the week.
  • Decide what time of day is YOUR best time of day and do the more strenuous activities including exercise then.
  • Use labor saving techniques. Example: soak dishes before washing.
  • Perform activities sitting if possible. Examples: folding laundry sitting on couch etc.
  • Organize your workspace. Example: Avoid reaching, bending, carrying, and climbing as much as possible.

Prioritize

  • Decide what jobs are most important.
  • Learn to let go of guilt caused by not finishing a task due to fatigue. There are other days.
  • Delegate tasks to other people if possible.

Pace

  • Alternate easy and difficult tasks.
  • Take frequent breaks during a task. IE 10-15 minutes every hour.
  • Work with gravity assisting, not resisting.
  • Get plenty of sleep and rest. Plan on 10-12 hours of rest including naps.
  • Rest 45-60 minutes after meals. It requires a lot of energy and oxygen to digest meals.
  • Do not rush! Rest before becoming exhausted.

Performance

  • Doing some activities a certain way may help increase the length of time you can do an activity and make it easier all the way around.

Use correct body mechanics

  • Keep the head and neck aligned with the trunk and tuck the chin.
  • Keep shoulder and hips in alignment.
  • Move your feet when turning around.
  • Maintain pelvic tilt by tucking in your buttocks.
  • Keep one foot raised on a low stool when standing.
  • Bend your knees and keep back straight when lifting a low object.
  • Keep objects close to your body while lifting or carrying.
  • Inhale when extending arms and exhale as arms come back. Example: sweeping and vacuuming- inhale as the vacuum goes out and exhale as you pull it back toward you.