Energy conservation is a strategy to perform tasks as efficiently as possible. Occupational therapists teach patients to pace their activities, take frequent short breaks and work from a chair when possible; to delegate tasks and enlist help; to store frequently used items in a place that minimizes bending or reaching; and to practice pursed lip breathing while working.
Cooking
Energy conservation techniques can help reduce fatigue symptoms so that people can participate in daily activities more effectively. Some of these include completing tasks one at a time, taking regular short rests, exhaling during hard parts of movement, and sitting instead of standing for tasks when possible. It is also important to store frequently used items between waist and shoulder height to avoid bending and overhead reaching, use long-handled tools and wheeled carts when appropriate, and slide rather than lift heavy objects. Energy conservation techniques should be a complement to, not a replacement for, medical management of chronic conditions and fatigue symptoms.
Personal Care
Occupational therapy helps people learn energy conservation techniques that decrease fatigue symptoms and allow them to perform daily tasks. These techniques include pacing activities, taking short breaks throughout the day and scheduling activities to reduce time spent doing repetitive or challenging tasks. OTs may also teach clients to use adaptive equipment like reachers, tub benches and rolling laundry baskets; eat well to ensure that nutritional requirements are met; and utilize strategies such as pursed lip breathing or deep breaths to maintain oxygen levels during activity. Studies have shown that using these techniques can decrease medication use to treat fatigue symptoms, a significant savings in costs for some patients with chronic diseases that cause fatigue symptoms.
