ALPIMS • Your feelings
Your feelings & wellbeing
We use the NIH Your Healthiest Self: Emotional Wellness Toolkit as a starting point, then adapt its suggestions to your capacity, conditions and support needs.
You do not have to feel calm or positive to deserve care.
Open one topic. Choose what feels useful today.
NIH starting points are brief summaries. ALPIMS adaptations are our additions.
Build resilience
NIH starting point
Draw on supportive relationships, meaningful activities
and manageable habits to help cope with difficulties.
ALPIMS adaptation
Receiving help and protecting recovery can be part of
resilience. Choose one manageable activity or support;
you do not have to stay positive.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: ME/CFS, Long COVID or burnout.
How: Practical help and smaller activities can reduce demands and protect recovery. With PEM, stay within your individual energy limits.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Reduce stress
NIH starting point
Set priorities, seek support and make time for
activities that help you unwind.
ALPIMS adaptation
Reduce one physical, sensory or practical demand.
Choose a comfortable position and surroundings you tolerate.
With PEM, include emotional and social effort in pacing.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: POTS, ME/CFS, migraine, MCAS or sensory overload.
How: Comfortable positioning and fewer demands may make activities easier to tolerate. Adjust surroundings to recognised triggers and follow condition-specific care plans.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Get quality sleep
NIH starting point
Support sleep with a regular routine and a suitable
sleep environment.
ALPIMS adaptation
Use a flexible routine and comfortable positioning.
Adjust light, sound and bedding to your needs.
Persistent sleep problems may need specific care.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: Pain, joint hypermobility or sensory sensitivity.
How: Comfortable positioning and suitable light, sound and bedding may remove some barriers to sleep. Persistent sleep problems still need appropriate care.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Be mindful
NIH starting point
Practise noticing the present moment, with attention
to what you are experiencing.
ALPIMS adaptation
Try a brief practice with eyes open and a familiar
external object. You do not need to focus on your
breathing or body. Adapt or stop if distress
or symptoms increase.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: Trauma, panic, autism, sensory sensitivity or limited energy.
How: A brief external focus offers an alternative when breathing or body-focused exercises feel uncomfortable. Choose what feels safe and stop if distress increases.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Cope with loss
NIH starting point
Allow space for grief, seek support and attend to
everyday needs while coping with loss.
ALPIMS adaptation
Grief may include changes in health, roles or relationships.
There is no required timetable.
Ask for practical help or safe emotional support.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: Chronic illness, disability, depression or burnout.
How: Acknowledging loss and receiving practical support can reduce pressure to cope alone. Professional support may help when distress is persistent or severe.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Strengthen social connections
NIH starting point
Build supportive relationships and ask for help
when you need it.
ALPIMS adaptation
Choose safe, respectful contact within your capacity:
text, quiet company or help with a task.
Predictability and a comfortable setting
may make contact easier.
Who may this help — and how?
May help: ME/CFS, autism, ADHD, pain, hypermobility or sensitivities.
How: Short, predictable contact and a comfortable setting can reduce energy, communication and sensory demands while allowing connection.
Needs vary. This adaptation supports access and comfort; it does not replace treatment.
Explore practical guides
Emotional support can accompany care for physical conditions. It does not mean physical symptoms are caused by emotions, or that emotional wellness practices cure ALPIMS-related conditions.
Source & care note
General information, not individual medical advice. Follow your care plan. NIH has not reviewed or endorsed these ALPIMS adaptations.
NIH Emotional Wellness Toolkit ↗
NICE: ME/CFS energy management ↗
If you feel unsafe or may harm yourself, seek urgent support. In Australia, call 000 for immediate danger, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support.
