This approach is closely related to Pacing. Please make sure that you read the page on Pacing first before you try this out.
We all know that exercise is good for our bodies and minds. But when we are sick with FND and related conditions, exercise can seem completely out of the question. You are likely to be struggling with limited mobility, chronic pain and fatigue. Exertion can set off a flare. How is one meant to exercise within these constraints?
Graded Exercise Therapy is a potential solution to this problem.
What can you do to move your body? Ten seconds of sitting yoga? Great - Let's start there.
Find out what you can comfortably do within your constraints without setting off a flare and do it. Even if its for a few seconds.
Start out small with something that you can easily achieve. Ten seconds is enough to start with.
Tomorrow try doing 15 seconds. The day after you might be able to move up to 20 seconds.
As you get stronger and more confident, you might be able to increase in increments of one minute a day.
If you start using an exer-cycle for one minute a day and increase by a minute a day, over a month you will gradually increase your capacity and find yourself biking for 30 mins a day. This increase might be too fast for you. You might be better to try increasing in increments of 30 seconds a day. If it takes you two months to get to 30 minutes, that's ok. It's just marvellous.
By gradually increasing your routine over time, your body can slowly adjust. You can listen carefully to your body to understand what works for you. You can avoid a symptom flare by stopping when you find your battery turning yellow.
The focus is your overall well being. This approach should help you build muscle, reduce soft tissue injuries, nurture your cardio vascular health, lift your mood, reduce anxiety and boost your confidence.