7 Simple Ways to Fight Fatigue Naturally

7 Simple Ways to Fight Fatigue Naturally

Whether your morning grogginess never seems to subside or the afternoon slump has you reaching for a super-sized coffee, you're exhausted. Thankfully, there are several ways to fight fatigue naturally. But first, we need to discover why you're feeling drained.

What Causes Fatigue?

For many people, fatigue is related to poor everyday habits and routines, according to the Mayo Clinic. Evaluate your exercise schedule, use of alcohol, sleep patterns, eating habits, work experiences, and side effects of medications. When one or more of these are not maintained at a healthy level, you'll likely feel out of balance.

Fatigue can also be linked to medical conditions and the treatments used to manage illnesses such as cancer or depression. It's best to talk with your physician if you're noticing ongoing, daily fatigue that doesn't resolve with lifestyle changes.

7 Ways to Fight Fatigue Naturally

If you feel good most days, but find yourself dragging in the afternoons or know you have a busy week ahead, you can easily modify your schedule to fight fatigue naturally. Planning ahead is the key.

1. Reduce daily decision making. When you have too many options, you're left mentally drained, according to Prevention. Consider planning out a week's worth of outfits on the weekend or starting a meal planning routine so you don't have to figure out what to grab in the mornings. Everything from clothing to breakfast can be decided upon when you're not watching the clock tick.

2. Set up an exercise routine. Pick an activity that fits your physical ability and health goals, then stick to it to increase energy. Joining a group class, using a fitness tracking app, or teaming up with friends can help you stay accountable. If exercise is new to you, start simply by walking or doing chair-based exercises until you build up the strength to explore additional activities.

3. Pay attention to nutrition. Food is the fuel that gives your body energy. Become familiar with the key elements of healthy eating patterns published by Health.gov. Start with small changes to incorporate healthier choices into your diet daily..

4. Get adequate rest. Being overly tired affects your quality of work and social life. In addition to getting enough hours of sleep each evening, prioritize daytime rest too. Medical News Today suggests meditation, yoga, and using your time off work to pursue personal interests that make you feel mentally refreshed.

5. Be realistic about productivity. Whether you're working full time, juggling a hefty volunteer schedule, or have lots of projects to do around the house, managing your time well helps reduce fatigue. Use a calendar to map out commitments and how long it will take to complete each task, so your to-do list is realistic. Don't forget to schedule time to relax too - you don't always have to be 'doing'.

6. Acknowledge stress in your life. We all have things or people who rob us of our energy, leaving us feeling drained and anxious. Take control and reduce as many adverse situations as possible. Ask for help from a therapist if needed to identify challenges and find solutions, suggests The Anxiety Centre.

7. Take nutritional supplements. Talk with your medical care provider about your dietary needs and if you're getting the right balance of nutrients from your food alone. For example, when you're low on iron, you can feel exhausted, have restless legs, and even experience hair loss, according to Everyday Health. Low iron levels are common among menstruating, lactating and pregnant women, those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet and people with blood-based health conditions such as anemia.

If you'd like to learn more about naturally-derived sources of iron that fit into your healthy lifestyle, check out Neuterre Whole Food Iron Supplements. These simple capsule-form supplements release into the body slowly, allowing for gentle and effective absorption which may lead to an improvement in your energy levels.