Activity Pacing

Activity pacing is a self-management strategy used by people with chronic conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome to manage limited energy and prevent symptom exacerbation. It involves planning and distributing physical and cognitive activities throughout the day, building in scheduled rest periods before symptoms worsen, and calibrating task intensity to current energy levels rather than pushing through until exhaustion. Activity pacing differs from simply resting by emphasizing proactive planning and gradual activity engagement rather than reactive rest after overexertion. For digital accessibility, the concept informs the design of health technologies and work environments that accommodate variable energy levels, such as flexible task pacing, adjustable interaction demands, and tools that help users recognize and respond to their energy state in real time.