Even though you are “bedridden” change into day clothing. Casual clothes like jogging gear are as comfortable as nightwear.

Putting on makeup can help womens self esteem.

Move to a room other than your bedroom during the day if possible. Acquire a day-bed you can lie on. Maybe a spare bed can be moved to a situation that has light and a pleasant outlook. It may help with sleep when you move back into the bedroom at night. It is better for your self esteem to appear to be “up”.

A bird table can be interesting if close by.

Get some fresh air. The air in your room should be changed daily. Just 10 mins with the windows open can give the room a blow through. You can do this while you are in another room during winter.

If you are not mobile get someone to take you out even if you cannot really walk. This may just be a drive a short distance to a spot by the sea, a stream or bush. Sitting with the door open can refresh with different air and smells.

Keep hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink enough. Keeping a waterbottle at hand lets you see how much you are drinking and it’s not as easy to spill. In cooler weather slightly warming water makes it a lot easier to drink.

Try to get some exercise. This is a difficult one--I know you’d love to be able to do more, but in the same way it's not wise to stay in one horizontal position, so don’t spend hours lying down without a few simple movements, stretches or a short wander.

Physio can help some people. 

Learn breathing exercises. Many M.E people hyperventilate at times. The book “Hyperventilation Syndromme” by a NZ physio, Dinah Bradley could be helpful.

Eat a little and often. 

Have a store of easy things ready for when you run out of energy or too weary to eat much. Drinks such as Milo (with milk if tolerated) or Complan may be useful.

Develop a little healthy skepticism. Maybe going on the “Stone age Diet” won’t cure you after all. (Do you know what the average life span was then?). 

Sometimes going on an exclusive diet can cause problems. Make sure you get a balanced diet even though this can be hard as you may have developed an intolerance to some foods. However be encouraged to know that many M.E. people are able to reintroduce these things in time.

It is normal to grieve for things you have lost. Freedom, careers, contact with friends and many more. You may be angry and feel “why me?” Talk about it to someone close. If it is too overwhelming seek help.

Hopefully adjusting and finding new openings will make you stronger long term.

Music can be soothing, calming and uplifting. 

Listening to the radio can help distract you and keep you in touch with things when you are housebound.

Avoid sprays. Also strong odours if they nauseate you. Keep the vents closed in the car in heavy traffic as you may be sensitive to petrol and diesel fumes.

While you may enjoy visits, even positive events can be draining and suddenly you may feel as if someone has just pulled your plug. Learn to say “It’s been great to see you but I need to rest now. Please come again.”

Help educate your visitorsabout M.E. so they don’t tell you how their cousin’s brother-in-laws uncle or wife used this amazing herbal cure or saw a psychiatrist.

It’s true. You have to pace yourself. Learn to stop before you have to. Maybe use a timer so that you rest after half an hour or so. 

Physically lying flat for 10mins occasionally will help the blood flow to your head and stave off that fluffy spell so you can achieve more.

Prepare meals in stages so that you are not exhausted by the time it is ready to eat.

It’s true - laughter is a good medicine.

Even if you can’t sleep well comfort yourself with the idea that your body is resting. Going through the alphabet with flowers or makes of cars and visualizing each one could help. You might even get to Zinnia or Zepher...

Narrow your focus. You may have been involved in many activities previously. Don’t take on too much. Learn how to say, “No”.

Lighten your load. Maybe it doesn’t matter if some of the garden reverts to a mown meadow if you are able to feel less pressured.

Compromise by attending to the urgent things first in case you run out of energy.

Maybe you can do something useful for someone else. Grow cuttings and seedlings to give away if you are unable to do heavier gardening.

Remember today is one day nearer the time you feel better.

Positive thinking has been shown to have a definite effect on the immune system. Try to think of one positive thing that happened at the end of each day. Maybe you saw bellbird on a flax bush by your window.

Most people with M.E. get better. Decide you are one of them.

Dream. List 10 things you will do one day. No 1 may be walking to the letter box and No 10 might be to walk over a longer walk or do a bungee jump.

Help your memory. Write notes . Put them in places like by the kettle or on your car seat where you won’t forget to look at them. At the beginning of the year write all birthdays and special annual events on a calendar that has room for other appointments. Use a different colour for birthdays.

Do puzzles or crosswords. It’s not cheating to look at the answers to the ones you didn’t know. It’s a learning experience.

Learn something new. Computer skills. Model making. Collecting. Crafts. 

It is helpful to feel you are doing something to beat M.E. It may be taking something, e.g. Flaxseed oil,selenium, B12 injections. Or meditation or prayer depending on your personal beliefs.

Pets can be good company if you are alone a lot.

Keep informed. There are many exciting new medical breakthroughs.

Join your local support group. Join ANZMES.