Excuses or self-care? A balancing act for fibromyalgia
Author: Kerstin Goldstein
Last updated: 11. June 2025
For people with fibromyalgia, life is often a dance on a tightrope between self-care and activity. There are days when the body screams, “Not today!” – and that’s not an excuse, it’s a necessity.
On such days, the sofa is not just a piece of furniture, but a sanctuary that promises rest and healing. It is a form of self-care to listen to this inner voice and give your body the rest it so urgently needs.
This article is about how you can tell the difference between “excuses” and “self-care”.
But there is also the other side of the coin. Sometimes the inner critic whispers that everything is too much today and tempts us with the lure of doing nothing. Here it is important to pause and examine: Is it really the body’s call for rest, or is it the seductive siren song of our inner lazy dog?
On days without physical or mental energy, it is important not to blame yourself, but to recognize the decision to rest as a wise choice. And yet, keep in mind that movement is an ally just waiting to be included again on the next good day.
Choose your time wisely
Time is a luxury, and for people with fibromyalgia it can be even more of a challenge. But instead of letting “no time” become a constant refrain, it’s important to consciously choose time slots for exercise and self-care.
When “no time” becomes a constant companion, it is quite literally time to pause and re-evaluate. Perhaps finding time for people with fibromyalgia means saying goodbye to rigid schedules and listening to the rhythm of your body instead. It’s about seeing exercise not as another item on your to-do list, but as a fluid part of your day that works on your own terms.
Maybe it’s just a short walk, a few stretching exercises or gently relaxing your fascia – it doesn’t have to be a marathon. It can be as simple as stretching the arms during TV commercials or a few yoga poses before bed – every movement counts and contributes to quality of life.
This makes it easier for you to integrate small exercise sessions into your daily routine. Short, simple activities are often more realistic and sustainable than long training sessions that exhaust you and may be too strenuous for your body.
What about your time? Do you make time for exercise or are you running out of time?
The weather as a mirror of our state of mind
When it’s gray and dreary outside, like November weather in Germany, your outdoor activities will come to a stop and your body might ache more. For someone with fibromyalgia, a rainy day or cold weather can be more than just an excuse – it can actually make symptoms worse.
I asked my fellow fibro coaches who live all over the world. ALL of them admitted that even they, as experienced people dealing with fibromyalgia, struggle with weather fluctuations and cold.
The weather can be a mirror of the soul and, in the case of fibromyalgia, also a mirror of physical well-being. If the body reacts to changes in the weather and humidity with pain, then it’s time to transform the living room into a pleasant fitness oasis. Dancing, stretching or meditating – the weather outside the windows cannot cloud your inner world once you have decided to breathe activity into your own four walls.
How do you feel when the weather changes? Does your body perceive them?
Mail from the Wellness Oasis
Receive valuable tips, exercises, and inspiration about fibromyalgia directly in your inbox. Sign up now and stay motivated on your journey to more ease and well-being!
When fatigue and pain take over
Tiredness and pain are not imaginary. Some days the body may be reluctant to move, and that’s okay. It’s an art of reading the body’s signals correctly and knowing when it’s time to pause and when a gentle nudge towards activity is appropriate.
Some days, fatigue and pain can be so overwhelming that they swallow up any thought of movement. At such times, it is important not to force your body, but to communicate with it. What is it telling you? Maybe it needs a gentler way of moving or just a warm hug in the form of a soft blanket.
It’s not a sign of weakness to give in to these feelings – it’s rather a sign of strength and self-awareness. Then there is no discussion about excuses or self-care. Stop and do what is good for you at that moment.
If you don’t know what’s good for you, then let’s talk. I am happy to help you in my 1:1 coaching program for people with fibromyalgia.
Do you have many days that throw you completely off track physically and if so, how can you minimize them? What strategy do you have?
Your training partner – an angel in sneakers
An exercise partner who understands the types of fibromyalgia is a real treasure. Laughing, moaning and maybe even sweating together can be a source of joy and an incentive to keep moving, even when it’s hard.
Your training partner can be the motivating wind beneath your wings, calling you to get going even on difficult days. A smile, a word of encouragement, the shared joy of exercise – all this can make the difference between a day on the couch and a day that ends with pride and satisfaction.
If your training partner does not have a chronic illness of their own, it’s important to discuss the planned intensity and speed in advance. After all, the last thing you want to do is chase after your super fit colleague on a walk, only to have increased pain the next day due to overexertion.
By the way: this training partner doesn’t always have to be human. Sometimes it’s your favorite music or a loyal four-legged friend that encourages you to exercise more.
My personal approach to dealing with fibromyalgia
I firmly believe that every person affected by fibromyalgia can find ways to cope better with the disease. It’s not about “curing” in the traditional sense, but about understanding your own body better and developing methods that make everyday life easier.
Through targeted coaching and an exercise program tailored to you, you can learn to regain control of your body and live your life with more energy and joy again.
Bringing body and mind into harmony
Exercise can be a powerful anti-depressant. But the trick is to choose the right activity that nourishes both the muscles and the soul. It’s a celebration of what’s possible, even if the challenges are great.
Exercise is often a psychological tonic that can help break through the fog of discomfort, especially in the case of fibromyalgia. It is essential to listen to your own needs and find forms of exercise that are enjoyable and not stressful.
Maybe it’s swimming in warm water, which acts like a gentle massage, or QiGong, which brings calm to the mind with its flowing movements. Or maybe you’re the type who likes to roll out your gym mat at home and do exercises with small equipment such as balls or bands. The key is to see movement as a friend, not an enemy.
What kind of exercise feels good for you? What do you enjoy? If these two factors come together, then you’ve found the perfect activity for you.
Goodbye pressure to perform
The pressure to perform can wait. With fibromyalgia, every step counts, every movement that is done with joy and in harmony with your own body. It’s not about breaking records, but about allowing the body to develop in its own gentle way.
In this sense, it’s an act of balance and self-awareness to distinguish when an excuse is just an excuse and when it signals a well-deserved break. It’s the small victories, the recognition of limits and the gentle but constant encouragement to make the most of each day.
With compassion, patience and a pinch of humor, the path of exercise for fibromyalgia can become a source of empowerment and personal growth.
With that in mind, put the stopwatch aside and tune into your gut feeling.
Conclusion: self-care is important
With a little practice, it’s easy to tell the difference between excuses and self-care. If you want to exercise regularly but have done little or nothing recently and have no idea how to approach it in a fibro-friendly way, then let’s talk.
👉 Let’s talk about whether personal training via Zoom is right for you. Together we’ll find your way to more lightness and joie de vivre!
