Fatigue Symptoms

The Epidemic of Fatigue

It’s easy to understand why so many of us are so tired. Our fast paced lifestyles leave little time for relaxation. If we aren’t putting in long hours at work to maintain our desired standard of living, we are chauffeuring our children to soccer and baseball practice, mowing our lawns or cleaning our houses. Many of us go to bed every night exhausted, wishing for more hours in the day.

Fatigue Symptoms

The most common symptom of fatigue is a general lack of energy to complete one’s daily tasks. In some cases, overwhelming feelings of complete exhaustion periodically wash over you throughout the day. Difficulty in concentration may also be experienced.

Simple remedies

• Studies show that a large number of people are sleep deprived. Therefore, the most obvious yet possibly overlooked solution to the problem of fatigue is to simply get more sleep. Force yourself to get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
• Food is fuel for the body. You don’t want to run on empty. Be sure to eat a balanced healthy diet and cut back on the caffeine. Caffeine is nothing more than a quick temporary fix.
• Fatigue can be a side effect from stress. You may not be able to change the cause of your tension, but it is within your power to change how you react to it. Beginning and ending your day with ten to fifteen minutes of simple meditation can help to change the way you react to negative stimuli. There is no need to twist yourself into a pretzel or chant foreign words you don’t understand. Simply close your eyes and focus your attention on the way your breath feels on the tip of your nose as you inhale and exhale.

When simple remedies fail

You may try all of the above and find yourself saying, “But I’m still tired.” If that is the case, your lack of energy may be caused by a medical condition. Chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal malfunction, and bacterial infection are just a few of many medical causes for exhaustion. Make an appointment with your health care practitioner if you feel you need further evaluation.