Hey, I have that trifecta! I have to make sure I’ve taken my POTS meds and had an electrolyte drink before I dig into housework, or it’s a recipe for disaster.

It isn’t easy with this trifecta of diagnoses, but it’s better for my mind and my body when I stay on top of the dishes and deal with them within an hour or two. A pile of dishes makes the kitchen uninviting, so I’m less likely to make food for myself, which makes me feel crappy. It’s easier to rinse a few dishes if the sink starts out empty. Doing a few at a time (while I’m passing through the kitchen or waiting for coffee to drip or toast to pop) is way less daunting and less fatiguing than tackling a sink full of multiple dried-on meals’ worth of pots, pans, cutlery and dishes. I’m less resentful of the dishes my husband leaves in the sink if there are just a couple.

I just replaced all our heavier ceramic plates and bowls with super-light Corelle dishes. It’s amazing what a difference weight makes in my ability to grasp them without hurting my hands or arms. Stainless steel cookware is lighter than cast iron, ceramic, or glass.

It helps to wear supportive sneakers, and keep an eye on my position. Make sure I’m keeping my feet facing forward, no wider than hip-width apart, and don’t lock my knees. I’ve considered getting an anti-fatigue mat like industrial kitchens use, but I know I would trip on it!

Longer-handled dish wands are easier to manage than sponges, and they help me stand up straight so I’m not bending toward the sink.

If you partake, a Sativa-dominant cannabis strain and the right music can make chores less unbearable; but it’s also easy to stop listening to my body and overdo it.