The Best Ways to Combat Fatigue

Fatigue seems to have become the new normal in our modern lives. Between the late nights at the office, keeping up with the extra-curricular activities with the kids, as well as all the technology and stress upsetting our sleep, it seems that fatigue is a battle that can’t be won. Thankfully, there are things that you can do that can help you feel refreshed and get a head of the fatigue even in today’s busy atmosphere. These lifestyle changes are not only going to help you feel better but they’re essential for your long term health and wellbeing.

Seek help from a doctor

If you show upConstant fatigue, a medical condition may prevent you from resting. There are many treatable medical conditions that can cause fatigue, such as iron deficiency or lower levels of B vitamins, anxiety, mood problems, and more. Regular physical exams with your doctor will help rule out any possible causes of fatigue.

Fatigue isn’t just associated with sleep

While not getting enough sleep will obviously cause you to feel tired and you should prioritise getting enough, the way that we approach and think about fatigue also plays a factor. If you constantly think about how tired you feel it ensures that your feelings of fatigue will also persist. Avoid ruminating on your fatigue and look into other strategies to combat your tiredness. There are also other factors that play into our fatigue other than just sleep, like poor sleep habits. Work on healthy bedtime routines, such as reducing naps throughout the day, reducing screen time before bed and making the time to unwind before bed with meditation, mindfulness, or reading.

Get moving

If you’re not exercising, you need to. Contrary to what you might think, less activity is actually associated with greater fatigue. Gradually increasing your time exercising as well as getting up to move around or stretch every 30 minutes will help. You can also look to getting up and moving during your lunch breaks, if possible. Habits such as these will help reduce the feelings associated with the afternoon slump many workers feel.

Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake

Caffeine, while it may temporarily energize you, when consumed in excessive it will cause a caffeine crash which will leave you even more tired than you started with. Alcohol doesn’t help either as it will dehydrate you and disrupt deep sleep patterns leading to poorer quality sleep.

Stay hydrated

Many signs of fatigue (and hunger) are actually associated with dehydration. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water meaning that getting enough water is essential for good health. So before you reach for another cup of coffee or processed snack, fill up a water bottle and snack on lots of fresh fruit and vegetables that carry plenty of water and fibre.

Eat mindfully

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, iron, and protein will help you feel more energized and help avoid symptoms such as ischemia. Keep your sugar intake low, stick to whole grains and complex carbs, and focus on the sluggishness that comes with fewer and more frequent meals. Taking a multivitamin supplement (especially B-complex vitamins) can also make up for any nutritional deficiencies you may have.

Reduce stress and lighten your work load

Chronic stress wrecks havoc on your body, physically and mentally. If work is the major contributor of your stress, for your wellbeing, look into lightening your workload. Other ways to manage stress come with setting aside time for yourself with things that you enjoy doing, practicing mindfulness, yoga, and mediation or looking into relaxation techniques like aromatherapy.

Quit smoking

If you need another reason to stop, smoking can deplete your energy levels as it can reduce oxygen levels making it harder for your lungs to do their job.

Lose weight

If you're overweight, your body may work harder to carry the excess weight, and you may feel burnt out more easily. Focus on exercising and eating healthy, and see if your doctor can help you with a weight loss plan.

Get outside

Being outside is good for the body and soul and you may find your mood lifted by just being outside. Even if you can only get outside briefly, you might notice a substantial difference in your mood, concentration, creativity and even memory. If find yourself feeling sluggish in the afternoon try and take a quick break outside to revive yourself.