Fatigue fighting tips
People who are fatigued feel chronically tired in both body and mind. Low energy levels can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, such as unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems and stress. There are many different ways you can boost your energy levels. However, always see your doctor to make sure that your fatigue isn’t caused by an underlying medical problem.
Energy explained
Food is broken down by the digestive system. Some elements, such as water and glucose, can be absorbed through the stomach, while the remaining nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine.
The body’s preferred energy source is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates, but it can also use fatty acids (from fats) and amino acids (from proteins). Glucose is delivered to virtually every cell in the body by the bloodstream, and is then burned with oxygen to produce energy. Hormones control every step in this process; for example, the pancreas makes the hormone insulin, which helps to control blood sugar levels.
Dietary suggestions
Have a good look at your diet - it’s very important if you want more energy in your daily life. Suggestions include:
- Drink plenty of water - a dehydrated body functions less efficiently.
- Be careful with caffeine - one or two caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea or cola) per day boosts energy and mental alertness. However, heavy caffeine users (more than six drinks per day) are prone to anxiety, irritability and reduced performance.
- Eat breakfast - food boosts your metabolism and gives the body energy to burn. The brain relies on glucose for fuel, so choose carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods such as cereals or wholegrain bread.
- Don’t skip meals - going without food for too long allows blood sugar levels to dip. Try to eat regularly to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
- Don’t crash diet - low kilojoule diets, or diets that severely restrict carbohydrates, don’t contain enough energy for your body’s needs. The reduced food variety of the typical crash diet also deprives the body of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
- Eat a healthy diet - increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain foods, low fat dairy products and lean meats in your diet. Reduce the amount of high fat, high sugar and high salt foods.
- Don’t overeat - large meals can drain your energy. Instead of eating three big meals per day, try eating six mini-meals to spread your kilojoule intake more evenly. This will result in more constant blood sugar and insulin levels. You’ll also find it easier to lose excess body fat if you eat this way.
- Eat iron rich foods - women, in particular, are prone to iron-deficiency (anaemia). Make sure your diet includes iron rich foods such as lean red meat.
Sleep suggestions
A common cause of fatigue is not enough sleep, or poor quality sleep. Suggestions include:
- Get enough sleep - adults need about eight hours sleep per night. Make the necessary changes to ensure you get a better night’s sleep.
- Limit caffeine - too much caffeine, particularly in the evening, can cause insomnia. Limit caffeinated drinks to five or less per day, and avoid these types of drinks after dinner.
- Learn how to relax - a common cause of insomnia is fretting about problems while lying in bed. Experiment with different relaxation techniques until you find one or two that work for you; for example, you could think of a restful scene, focus on your breathing, or silently repeat a mantra or phrase.
- Avoid sleeping pills - sleeping pills don’t work in the long term because they don’t address the causes of insomnia.
Lifestyle suggestions
Suggestions include:
- Don’t smoke - cigarette smoke contains many harmful substances. There are many reasons why smokers typically have lower energy levels than non-smokers. For example, for the body to make energy it needs to combine glucose with oxygen, but the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen available in the blood.
- Increase physical activity - physical activity boosts energy levels, while a sedentary lifestyle is a known cause of fatigue. Physical activity has many good effects on the body and mind. For example, exercise and moderate physical activity reduces blood pressure, helps to maintain a healthy weight, and is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. A good bout of exercise also helps you sleep better at night.
- Limit the time you sit down - reduce sedentary behaviours such as watching television and using computers.
- Seek advice - if you haven’t exercised in a long time, are obese, aged over 40 years or have a chronic medical condition, always seek your doctor’s advice and encouragement regarding the small steps you can take toward a more active lifestyle.
- Seek treatment for substance abuse - excessive alcohol consumption or recreational drug use contributes to fatigue, and is unhealthy and potentially dangerous.
- Workplace issues - demanding jobs, conflicts at work and burnout are common causes of fatigue. Take steps to address your work problems. A good place to start is to talk with your human resources officer.
Psychological issues
Studies suggest that between 50 and 80 per cent of fatigue cases are mainly due to psychological factors. Suggestions include:
- Assess your lifestyle - for example, are you putting yourself under unnecessary stress? Are there ongoing problems in your life that may be causing prolonged anxiety or depression? It may help to seek professional counselling to work out family, career or personal issues.
- Relaxation training - constant anxiety drains the body of energy and can lead to burnout. Strategies include learning relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, to help to ‘switch off’ the adrenaline and allow the body and mind to recover.
- Learn to do nothing - one of the drawbacks of modern life is the urge to drive ourselves to bigger and better heights. A hectic lifestyle is exhausting. Try to carve out a few more hours in your week to simply relax and hang out. If you can’t find a few more hours, it may be time to rethink your priorities and commitments.
- Have more fun - maybe you’re so preoccupied with commitments and pressures that you don’t give yourself enough time for fun. Laughter is one of the best energy boosters around.
Coping with the mid-afternoon energy slump
Most people feel drowsy after lunch. This mid-afternoon drop in energy levels is linked to the brain’s circadian rhythm and is ‘hard wired’ into the human body. Prevention may be impossible, but there are ways to reduce the severity of the slump, including:
- Incorporate as many of the above fatigue fighting suggestions as you can into your lifestyle. A fit, healthy and well-rested body is less prone to severe drowsiness in the afternoon.
- Eat a combination of protein and carbohydrates for lunch, for example a tuna sandwich. Carbohydrates provide glucose for energy.
- More good reasons to eat protein for lunch; the amino acid tyrosine allows the brain to synthesise the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which help keep your mind attentive and alert.
- Get moving. A brisk walk or even 10 minutes of stretching at your desk improves blood flow and boosts energy.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
Things to remember
- Always see your doctor to make sure that your fatigue isn’t caused by an underlying medical problem.
- Activity and nutrition are an important part of putting more energy into your daily life.
- Studies suggest that between 50 and 80 per cent of fatigue cases are mainly due to psychological factors.
- You might also be interested in:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
.Chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise.
Smoking - effects on your body.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:
(Logo links to further information)
Content partner
More information
Print fact sheet
Email fact sheet
Related topics:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise
Fatigue explained
Jet lag
Sleep - common disorders
Add to facebook
Add to del.icio.us
Digg this story
This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by: Kinect Australia (inc VICFIT in Victoria)
More Information-->Copyight © 1999/2009 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
•
This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
--> -->-->Fact sheet currently being reviewed.Last updated: October 2007
//
Linking to the Better Health ChannelIt's easy to link to this page Close
If you would like to link to this fact sheet on your website, simply copy the code below and add it to your page:
Fatigue fighting tips - Better Health Channel
Fatigue can mean feeling tired, lethargic, sleepy or lacking energy. Tips to fight fatigue include drinking lots of water, limiting caffeine, improving your diet and getting enough sleep. Activity and physical exercise help fight fatigue. Fatigue can have a medical cause so check with your doctor. Fatigue can also be a symptom of stress, anxiety, grief or depression. ..
The link should appear like this: Fatigue fighting tips - Better Health ChannelFatigue can mean feeling tired, lethargic, sleepy or lacking energy. Tips to fight fatigue include drinking lots of water, limiting caffeine, improving your diet and getting enough sleep. Activity and physical exercise help fight fatigue. Fatigue can have a medical cause so check with your doctor. Fatigue can also be a symptom of stress, anxiety, grief or depression. ..© State of Victoria. All rights reservedThe information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.
No comments:
Post a Comment