Being fatigued is more than just being ready for bed. Being physically, mentally, and/or emotionally fatigued can turn into a chronic issue that interferes with everyday life, leaving you tired, weak, sore, and sick no matter how well you sleep. Here’s a look at a few treatments for dealing with common types of fatigue.
Physical Fatigue
Physical fatigue is an often and unfortunate side effect of many chronic illnesses. Anemia, diabetes, cancer, major organ failures, thyroid conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and many other diseases can all leave you physically exhausted. It can be hard to combat the fatigue associated with these disorders.
First and foremost, follow your prescribed method of treatment to ensure your body has as much help as possible fighting the disease in question. Additionally, make sure to eat well. Not getting sufficient nutrition plays a big hand in leaving your body worn out. Find a sleeping routine that works well for you, and stick to it as much as possible. Exercise may also help improve your activity. However, while too little exercise can leave you feeling frequently tired, so can too much. It’s important to find an activity level that is appropriate for you and your wellbeing.
Muscular Fatigue
Muscular fatigue often occurs as a result of pushing your body too hard, leading to pain and weakness. While you can take over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, stretch, take hot baths, and wait for the pain to pass, you can also take precautionary measures to prevent muscular fatigue in the first place. Make sure to stretch and warm up before you begin any exercise. Not only will it make you more flexible, it allows your muscles a chance to get ready, decreasing the chances of severe cramps. Some muscle pain is to be expected, however, particularly if you are actively trying to build muscle. Eating is also important in preventing muscular fatigue. Opt for high protein options, and be sure to get plenty of potassium, calcium, and other nutrients essential to bone and muscle health. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
Mental Fatigue
Mental fatigue is the difficulty focusing and solving problems that often accompanies long periods of intensive cognition. If you find you’re getting burnt out, take a break -- whether that means leaving your homework for ten minutes, or going on vacation for a week to get away from the root of the problem. As with preventing other types of fatigue, keep to a regular sleep schedule, eat healthy, and get appropriate exercise. According to the University of Gothenburg, one of the most important aspects of treating mental fatigue is to keep your workload under control. That means not only managing your priorities at work, but in home life as well.
Emotional Fatigue
Emotional fatigue is difficult to act preventatively against, as it often occurs as a result of some intense and unplanned crisis. Depression fatigue, however, often co-occurs with depression, as the constant feelings of sadness weigh on you. Depressive fatigue may be helped by dealing with depression; for some people, antidepressants can be extremely beneficial. However, for many people, counseling is the best course of action. While eating well and following food sleeping habits are essential to keeping up your physical strength, your emotional strength is best helped by seeking a licensed psychologist. There are many different schools of treatment for therapy, and it is important to find one that works best for you. Don’t expect an overnight change -- it can take months for therapy to be effective. If you aren’t comfortable seeing a psychologist, find a friend who can listen and help you manage the burden.
