Top 3 Secrets to Fighting Fatigue
Do you feel like your dragging a weight around? Are you extra exhausted all the time, struggling to get through your day? Fatigue can come on as a result of many things and can make it really difficult to function. If you feel like your energy is zapped, read on to find out my top secrets to fight fatigue and restore your energy.
What Causes Fatigue?
It can be frustrating going day after day feeling tired and unmotivated. But what’s even more frustrating is not knowing why. Maybe you have been to a few doctors but are still unclear why you can’t break this vicious cycle. Fatigue can be tricky to pinpoint the exact cause, but there are several things to consider. Often fatigue may be the result of poor sleep or unhealthy eating habits. However, there could be an underlying cause, such as chronic inflammation or an infection.
One common cause of fatigue is sleep deprivation. A study showed that approximately 23% of working Americans suffer from insomnia. [1] If you are getting less than seven hours of sleep each night, you will feel the effects of fatigue,e which may manifest into muscle weakness and mental fatigue.
There is also an estimated 22 million Americans who are affected by sleep apnea. A shocking 80% of these cases go undiagnosed. [2] As a result, more and more Americans are suffering from fatigue and other health complications.
Here are some additional circumstances below that may be the reason for your chronic fatigue.
- Weak immune system response
- Lifestyle choices
- Viral Infection
- Oxidative stress
- Hormonal imbalances
Signs of Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue can be a tricky diagnosis that may require ruling out other illnesses. If you are dealing with any of the below issues or other symptoms not listed, you may be dealing with chronic fatigue. Don’t let this scare you. There are answers and remedies for you to get back to a healthy, active life.
- Unable to get a restful nights sleep
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Anxiety or depression
- Aches and pains
- A change in blood pressure and feeling dizzy
- Muscles spasm or tingling
- Weight changes
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Heart palpitations
Chronic fatigue can cause many symptoms, which is why it is critical to work with an expert to determine the root cause for your fatigue and find a game plan that best suits your needs. If you have questions or are unsure about your symptoms and what they may mean, contact me here (link to contact page) for a consultation so we can address your current health and get you back to LIVING.
How to Treat Symptoms of Fatigue
There are many remedies out there to help alleviate the symptoms of fatigue. Here are a few of my favorites that not only make you feel better but help address the root issue.
1 Acupuncture
I have been treating patients with acupuncture for (insert how many years) years. The results my patients have seen are remarkable. Acupuncture has been a traditional Chinese remedy for centuries that has proven to promote sleep, increase energy, help digestion, improve your mental clarity, and combat fatigue.[3] Acupuncture works to balance your Qi or flow of energy. Many times illness is the result of an energy imbalance. For fatigue, acupuncture calms the yang energy and stimulates the yin creating a healthy balance.
2 Dietary Changes
I hate to break it to you, but you can’t keep running on greasy cheeseburgers and fast food. Eventually, you will burn out and be dealing with a whole slew of health problems. Start by making minor changes to your diet. Reduce your alcohol and sugar intake and start eliminating processed foods. You can slowly swap those processed foods for healthier options such as fruits or veggies. It’s never easy at first, but over time, those small changes will have a lasting positive impact on your health. Another tip to help with fatigue is to lower your carb intake, especially before lunch. Carbs tend to weigh you down, making your feel more tired.
3 Qigong
Qigong is energy work combining a focus of movement, breathwork, and meditation to promote positive health and wellbeing. Studies show that regular practice of qigong can actually reduce pain and improve sleep for those suffering from chronic fatigue. [4] Studies also show that just one qigong session can induce a significant positive change in psychological characteristics and improvements in the neuroendocrine and immune systems. [5] Can you imagine what regular qigong would do for your health?!
One Sure Way to Fight Fatigue
Maybe you’re tired of hearing this, but it is continuously repeated because it is vital. Yes, everyone knows good sleep, a balanced diet, and exercise are needed to live a healthy life, but so many people do not try to make these changes. They say, sure, I’ll start working out when I have more time, or maybe in the new year I will start eating better. The unfortunate truth of the matter is, it’s so easy to go get a pill and “solve” your problems. However, you will only be doing more harm than good.
The time is NOW. Start creating healthy habits in your daily routine. Work on your diet and make small changes. Start healthy sleeping habits by sticking to a routine that involves going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every day. If you have insomnia, try incorporating the tips above, such as acupuncture and qigong.
Know that fatigue is not an end-all diagnosis. There are answers, and there are ways to overcome your debilitating fatigue. Most importantly, there are doctors who genuinely care to help you on your journey.
