To live mindfully with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not to push or strive—it’s to soften. It’s about learning to meet yourself, again and again, in the truth of each moment—with gentleness, presence, and deep respect for your body’s limits.
Pause Gently. Often Create moments of stillness throughout the day—not as a task, but as a kindness. These soft pauses help shift your system from overstimulation to a state of rest and safety. Even one breath of ease can begin to settle your whole being.
Notice with Soft Eyes. Let your awareness be light, like a feather landing. Notice a sensation, a breath, a sound—without needing to fix or change anything. If it feels like too much, just rest your attention on one small thing. That’s enough.
Breathe with Kind Awareness. Let your breath be your companion. You don’t need to breathe deeply—just consciously. A small breath in, a long, slow breath out. Let it be a message to your body: You’re safe now. You can rest.
Allow What You Feel. Whether you feel exhausted, foggy, anxious, or raw—let it be okay. You don’t have to figure it out. Let emotions arise and fall like waves. Mindfulness gives them space without letting them sweep you away.
Choose Gentle Responses. When your system is fragile, even small stresses can feel like too much. Notice your urge to push or react. Can you pause instead, and choose something that honours your current capacity?
Anchor in the Senses. Use the senses as gentle anchors. The feel of a blanket. The sound of a bird. The scent of tea. These tiny details bring you into the safety of now, where your nervous system can begin to settle.
Be with Your Hands. Whatever your hands are doing—resting, holding a cup, brushing your skin—bring your attention there. The hands are a quiet way back to presence, especially when the mind feels foggy or far away.
Watch Thoughts Float By . Your mind may race or repeat fears. That’s okay. You don’t have to stop it. Just notice—a thought is here. Then gently return to something steady, like your breath or your senses. You are not your thoughts.
Let Awareness Shape Your Choices. When energy is limited, choices matter deeply. Before you commit to something, pause. Ask: Is this kind to my body? Do I have space for this today? Let awareness guide your pacing.
Wrap Awareness in Kindness. Mindfulness isn’t watching yourself critically—it’s befriending yourself moment by moment. If you forget, if you push too hard, if you collapse into discouragement—just return to a warmhearted presence. Gently. Again and again.