Fatigue is a common chronic illness symptom.

Rest is important in managing chronic illness fatigue.

Quantity and quality of rest matters.

Improving rest means experimenting with timing, enjoyment, and ability to detach from stressors.

Fatigue is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms of chronic illness. Many people living with chronic illness struggle with taking the rest they need to better manage fatigue. This blog post explores the importance of rest for all of us, and especially for those of us living with chronic illness fatigue.

There are many definitions of rest, including “a state in which an individual...is not actively engaged in demanding primary activities” (Ackah et al., 2025). I encourage you to go deeper than a cognitive understanding of rest. Remember a time when you were in a resting state. Close your eyes for a moment and place yourself in that scene. What does it feel like? Perhaps you notice slowed breathing, relaxed muscles, and a feeling of well-being. Take note of this so that the word “rest” conjures up this felt sense.

We expend a lot of mental and physical energy in our daily lives. For people living with chronic illness fatigue, that energy is depleted quickly. Rest is an opportunity to stop or at least slow the depletion. It’s a chance to fill our energy gas tank so that we have more energy to use. Rest........

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