Tip of the Month - December 2022
The Fatigue Factor
According to Harvard Medical School/Healthbeat News, fatigue can be very frustrating. It’s not something that the doctor can measure or test for. It is not always evident to others, but it is very real for you.
The reasons for fatigue are not entirely understood, although inflammation may explain some of it. Pain, poor sleep, lack of activity (during the pandemic), and depressed mood can also contribute to fatigue. Foremost, for athletes, no matter the age, the pandemic either stopped sport activities altogether or at least interrupted their progress. When returning to sport, athletes may tire more easily because their fitness level has deteriorated and technical aspects or skills have suffered, leading to mental and most likely to physical fatigue and frustration.
If you get tired, it’s not a sign of weakness - avoid trying to push through it. Pay attention to your body and pace yourself. You need to develop your own strategies for managing your energy level to accomplish your daily tasks.
Strategies to Help with Fatigue:
Take it easy. Don’t try to do too much. If you get tired, take a nap or do something restful like reading, listening to music, meditating, or a creative activity. Schedule rest breaks throughout the day to help.
Plan ahead. If you have limited energy, choose the most important activities. If you have a busy day ahead, make plans the night before to make the day go easier. If you are going to attend a function and are concerned about your energy level, set aside time before and after to rest.
Inform family and friends. Tell people you are close to about your condition and explain that it can cause fatigue so they will understand if you need to cancel plans.
Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet may be helpful for anyone with an autoimmune disease. With some conditions, you may need to follow certain dietary restrictions or special diets.
Get back to regular exercise and/or training. Physical activity can keep your body in good condition, which will help boost energy. Try to keep a regular schedule of exercise and/or training.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is important, but it needs to be restorative sleep. To get better sleep, practice good sleep habits. Avoid the use of tech gadgets when going to sleep.
Find support. The challenges of coping with a chronic disease can negatively affect your mood, and feeling down can negatively affect your mood, and feeling down can sap your energy. It may help to get support to deal with your emotions.
References:
Harvard Medical School/Healthbeat News (2022, May 28). Fatigue and auto-immune disease. Boston: Harvard Health Publications/Healthbeat.