Tips: Going to the movies

Anyone who has CFS will know that something as simple as going to the movies can be a challenge.

Finally, I'm at a stage where I can go to the movies without too many repercussions.

Start small: Put a DVD on at home. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the movie, and find that it's too loud, or the colours and movement on the screen are too much for you; I'd suggest staying away from cinemas for a little while.

When you can watch a DVD with no problems, give the cinema a try. Here are a few tips to make the trip a bit easier:

· Don't go if you have a headache.
· Try not to go on a busy day (e.g. cinemas are busy on Friday and Saturday nights.)
· Give yourself plenty of time to get to the cinema.
· Get someone to drive you to the cinema, and park nearby.
· Eat a meal before going into the cinema, and while you're sitting down and eating, get someone to line up and buy the tickets.
· Choose seats that are in the aisle, and close to the cinema entrance. (Climbing to the back of the cinema in the dark might be a disaster, and squeezing past peoples' knees to get to your seat might be taxing!)
· When the movie's over, stay in your seat for a while before heading off. You may have tensed your muscles a lot during the movie without noticing, and that will have used up some of your energy.
· Try not to choose movies that might freak you out or stress you out!

If you're not moving around very well, you could try going to a drive-in cinema. That way, you won't have to walk anywhere, you can control how loud the movie is, and you can leave easily if you're not doing too well.