Some of the things I have found helpful for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):
Walks, ideally in nature, and at least once a day.
Nurturing food. Slow cooked stews. (Current one: Beef, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, peas, barley, beef stock.) Oatmeal for breakfast. (Steel cut with coconut flakes, raisins, sunflower seeds, soaked overnight, cooked with apple or banana.) Beef broth. Local fruits, berries, seeds and nuts, nori flakes. I also take ginger and cloves capsules with each meal to aid digestion, and eat just enough so I don’t feel uncomfortably full.
Staying well hydrated. I tend to drink enough so my urine is pale to clear. I mostly drink herbals and spice teas (ginger, licorice, nettle, many from the Yogi tea company), and also at times – especially at winter – beef broth.
Reducing or eliminating certain foods. For me: sugar, dairy, wheat, processed foods. (Based on the effects I notice for myself.)
Nurturing body centered activities. For me, Breema, TRE, massage. (Also yoga, tai chi, chi gong etc.)
Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE). These invite the natural neurogenic tremors initiated and guided by the body, allowing for a gentle, gradual and eventually deep release of tension and trauma from our body-mind system. This thaws frozen areas of the body and mind, gently releases chronically held energy, and enlivens the body and mind. From what I hear, and what I experienced myself, it seems very helpful for chronic fatigue.
Taking care of myself. Saying an honest yes or no. Being more honest and transparent with myself and others.
True Meditation. Noticing what’s here is already allowed. Adyashanti’s guided meditations have been very helpful for me.
Inviting in a more stable attention. The easiest for me is to bring attention, gently, to the sensations at the nostrils as the natural (unmanipulated) breath goes in and out.
Identifying and inquiring into stressful thoughts about the fatigue and anything else in my life, using The Work.
Identifying and welcoming deficient selves, noticing they are not what I fundamentally am.
Welcoming what’s here – fears, discomfort, fatigue etc.
You are welcome here. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for your love.
Herbs, vitamins and minerals. For me, vitamin D, magnesium, siberian ginseng (deep energy), echinacea (immune function), huperzine-a, rhodiola (mental clarity, quick energy), probiotics, and more recently Hanna Kroeger’s B.E. Kit (for chronic fatigue) and Tibetan Chulen (deep, full, soft energy). Adaptogens such as siberian ginseng and rhodiola help build energy and improves immune function.
Supporting deep, restful sleep. For me, with small doses of melatonin. Also, rest and take naps during the day, the more the better.
Nurture nurturing relationships – with my mind, body, others, life. Finding and connecting with understanding, loving and supportive friends.
Nurture nurturing and enlivening activities. For me, photography, being in nature, Breema, TRE, inquiry, reading, learning, being of service to myself and others.
Nurture a nurturing environment. In my case, beautiful, simple, peaceful, near/in nature, wood fire.
Engaging in activities that are fun, rewarding, meaningful, that spark passion and joy.
Of the more specific and/or unusual things I have found especially helpful for fatigue are:
The Work. Inquiring into thoughts about the fatigue and what it means, and any other stressful thoughts in my life.
TRE. Releasing tension and trauma through neurogenic tremors.
Hanna Kroeger’s B.E. Kit. When I started taking this, quite recently, there was a shift into a lighter energy right away, and I now have more well functioning days.
Chulen. These Tibetan pills replenishes the body’s deep energy reserves. I experience a soft fire in my belly when I take these.
Update March 2013: I am on my third week of using Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) with good results so far. With CFS, it seems important to start with a low dose and gradually build up. I started on 0.5mg/day and add 0.5mg to the daily dose each week, up to 3.5mg (I may adjust the final dose). It also seems important to take it around 9pm so it lines up with the endorphin production later in the night. I am interested in seeing how this unfolds.
Note: Also, it’s helpful to learn from others who have recovered. Here are six brief recovery stories, and 50 longer ones.