“Do Less to Do More”: Practical Pacing Tips for Kids and Teens with Long COVID or ME/CFS
By Buonsenso and the Kids (but based on your ideas)
Living with Long COVID or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is not just about fatigue. It’s about an unpredictable energy system where doing too much—even something joyful like a short walk or a chat—can trigger a crash. In children and adolescents, this fluctuating energy can interfere with school, friendships, and family life. But there are ways to live better with it.
The key concept? Pacing: managing activity to prevent the boom-and-bust cycle and minimize post-exertional malaise (PEM).
Here are practical tips that families, teachers, and clinicians can use to support children and teens navigating this invisible illness.
1. Understand Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)
PEM is a core symptom of both Long COVID and ME/CFS. It’s not just being tired after activity—it’s a delayed and disproportionate worsening of symptoms (fatigue, pain, cognitive issues) after even mild physical, cognitive, or emotional exertion. It can last days or weeks.
Tip: Track symptoms in a daily log to identify patterns. You may find that a “good day” is often followed by a “crash” 12–48 hours later.