Pace Yourself: How To Have Energy in an Exhausting World

Arthur knows firsthand what it means to struggle with overwhelming exhaustion, having been diagnosed with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) as a teen. She discovered pacing as a way to cope and shares her strategies in her first book. In part one, “Define,” she discusses where energy comes from (emotional, mental, and physical), how to know when one has exhausted one’s stores, and what to do about it. She suggests that individuals adjust their emotional energy by spending time with people who exude the feelings they wish to be surrounded by; combatting mental exhaustion through play, mindfulness, and exercise; and dealing with physical energy drain through socializing and sensory experiences. In the “Assess” section, Arthur reviews how to eat, sleep, and rest in order to recharge. The third chapter, “Design,” reviews small steps that can be taken for large impact, how to live the pacing lifestyle, and the relationship between happiness and energy. Arthur closes with useful tools for keeping pacing and sleeping diaries.