Fatigue and Stress

What exactly is fatigue? How do we know if we are fatigued? It is a difficult thing to describe and symptoms can vary for every individual person. I see this often with my clients. Often people have been feeling fatigued for as long as they can remember and have accepted it as normal, making it hard for them to pin point or describe. Generally, fatigue can be described as a lack of energy and motivation for daily tasks. A person who is suffering from fatigue, may feel lack motivation for the things they want to do or think they should be doing and may generally feel low in energy compared to those around them. As I said before, a lot of people have suffered from this for their whole lives and simply accepted it as normal. This can become a problem because if it goes on for too long without being recognised, it can lead to burnout. Fortunately though, it is treatable and does not have to be normal for you. Take a moment to imagine what your life would look like if you had unlimited energy and motivation. What would you do with you time? What would be different in your life? Are there things that you wish you had already done and just haven’t found the time or motivation? This can be a sign of physical or emotional fatigue.

Some common symptoms physical symptoms of fatigue include shortness of breath while resting, lack of energy, feelings of heaviness or drowsiness in the head, waking up tired or feeling tired after a good nights sleep and muscle weakness and some emotional symptoms of fatigue could include a lack of motivation, feeling easily agitated, anxiety, hypersensitivity, feeling like you need extra sleep and overreacting. While fatigue is common, it is not an illness of its own. It is more commonly a symptom of an underlying health issue, usually being chronic stress. Chronic stress leads to emotional and physical fatigue because when you are in a state of chronic stress, your body starts to focus only on reducing stress hormones. This means that the functioning of your other body systems becomes a lower priority. If you stay stressed, your stress hormones remain high and eventually this will lead you to fatigue.

Some strategies for alleviating the symptoms of fatigue include:

-Meditation, yoga or any activity where you are encouraged to focus on the present moment, as this shifts your awareness away from the fatigue and gives your body some time to recover

-Exercise. Even though this may seem counterintuitive because if you are fatigued, you are likely to feel too tired to exercise, however exercise helps to reduce stress hormones and releases endorphins, which make you feel more energised.

-Supplementation. During times of fatigue, it is important to be getting enough nutrients. B vitamins are particularly good for reducing fatigue and COQ10. There are also a range of naturopathic herbs that can alleviate stress and fatigue, however before you start taking supplements, check with a professional to see which ones you actually need. That will save you time, money and ensure that you get the desired results.

-Dietary improvements. Ensure that you are eating healthy and nutritious diet and eat small amounts regularly. Make sure that you include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein. Eat a small snack or meal every 2-3 hours to ensure that you have the energy to get through the day. It helps to try to incorporate a form of protein, a fruit or vegetable and a form of essential fatty acids at eat meal.

-Make time for yourself. Do this every day and use that time to do something that you enjoy. You might be surprised to see how energised you feel after doing something that you enjoy and making the time to look after yourself. We often put ourselves last and take care of others but how long can you sustain pouring from an empty cup?

If any of the above information resonates with you or you are currently experiencing any of the symptoms or even a combination of the symptoms, it is best to seek treatment or advice from a health professional.