Rheumatology Occupational Therapy

What is energy conservation?

Energy conversation is a way to save energy and improve its use when it is needed.

Why should you try to save energy?

How you use your energy is important in managing your condition. Sometimes the way you do a task, how often you do the task, and how long the task takes can increase tiredness, pain and stiffness. Energy conservation is a way of doing things, so you have more energy to do the tasks that you enjoy and are important to you.

How can you save energy?

There are things you can do to use your energy more efficiently. Here are a few tips:

1. Prioritise:

You can decide which tasks are more important to be completed that day, this can help you save energy for the tasks that you want or need to do.

2. Plan:

Try to plan your tasks as much as possible and be aware of your levels of energy that day. For example try not to do all your tiring tasks at once and make time for rest breaks.

3.Pace:

Try to make your tasks simpler and aim to have a balance between rest and work. This means taking regular breaks, especially during longer tasks. Try to take five minutes rest every 20-30 minutes.

This could be done by:

  • Having any items you need to complete the task within easy reach.
  • Try to do tasks such as ironing sitting down. Make sure your seat or chair is comfortable and easy to get on and off, for example, use a perching stool.
  • Avoid tasks that can’t be stopped easily if your pain is aggravated.
  • Using alternative techniques/ equipment can reduce the energy required to complete a task. Your occupational Therapist will discuss this with you.

What will be the benefits of saving energy?

Changing habits of a lifetime may be difficult at first. However, you are not giving into your arthritis, you are taking control.

There are benefits to saving energy, which include:

  • Reducing your pain and stiffness.
  • Reducing your tiredness.
  • More energy to do your enjoyable and important tasks.
  • Improving your quality of life.

Six components of energy conservation

  • Prioritise
  • Plan
  • Pace yourself and keep to your limits
  • Change position frequently
  • Be willing to think about doing things differently
  • Change the equipment to make things easier

Think about how you can apply the above six components to help improve your pacing and planning

 

I will prioritise .....................................................................................................................

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I will plan ..............................................................................................................................

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How can I pace this goal? .................................................................................................

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.How can I change my position?........................................................................

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How could I do it differently to make it easier? ..................................................................

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Is there any equipment I could use to make it easier? ........................................................

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Feedback

Your feedback is important to us and helps us influence care in the future.

Following your discharge from hospital or attendance at your outpatient appointment you will receive a text asking if you would recommend our service to others. Please take the time to text back, you will not be charged for the text and can opt out at any point. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Further information

If you want more information on saving energy, or have any questions

please contact:

Occupational Therapy

Tel: 0151 706 2760

Text phone number: 18001 0151 706 2760

 

Author: Rheumatology Occupational Therapy

Review date: March 2029 

PI 826 V5