Finding a balance between rest and productivity can often feel like a challenge, particularly when faced with illness from a chronic condition. I’m a lone parent, so life doesn’t hit pause, and bed rest isn’t an option when there’s a child to care for and a household to run.

Managing essential chores while prioritising personal health can sometimes feel overwhelmingly stressful. Fortunately, the versatility of ChatGPT means that it can be a useful tool in overcoming these challenges.

Recently, a severe flare-up of pompholyx eczema left me in constant pain, disrupting my ability to handle day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning and driving. The aftermath left my house looking like there had been a home invasion, and my mental health suffered as exhaustion and disappointment set in.

To confront the challenges of the day, I turned to ChatGPT, an AI powered chatbot, for assistance. Despite my physical limitations, I explained my situation, detailing fixed appointments I had that day such as a doctor’s visit and picking up my child from school. I even mentioned the need to prepare dinner and accommodate my son’s fencing club in the evening. ChatGPT swiftly responded with a well-balanced schedule, incorporating rest periods and achievable tasks to help me reach my goal of cleaning and tidying the house.

Here’s a glimpse of how my morning looked after asking ChatGPT for advice:

9:00 am – 9:30 am: Start the day with a 30-minute rest period to conserve energy.

9:30 am – 10:30 am: Begin by clearing out the fridge. Take breaks as needed to manage pain.

10:30 am – 11:00 am: Rest and relax.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Check on the laundry, fold, and put away clothes. Take short breaks during this task.

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Rest period.

12:30 pm – 1:15 pm: Prepare a simple lunch for yourself, ensuring it’s easy on your hands.

Decision fatigue, especially during chronic condition flare-ups, can be draining, so knowing that this tool is available proves invaluable to me. ChatGPT not only considered my timing and physical constraints but also offered practical advice, like communicating the severity of my pain to the doctor and taking regular breaks while managing household chores.

To access ChatGPT, simply visit the ChatGPT website and follow the sign-up process for the free version.

Ask for a personalised schedule by using the ChatGPT text-box, detailing any appointments, goals or essential tasks you need to do that day. If the schedule presented doesn’t quite meet your expectations, reply with any amendments and it will produce a more nuanced version for you.

This tool has made a significant difference for me, giving me valuable guidance on some difficult days, and I share my experience in the hope that it may do the same for you.

Esther Maranian