What is fatigue?
Fatigue is defined as an overwhelming sense of tiredness, lack of energy, and feeling of exhaustion. It can be both a physical and mental state. There are many potential causes of fatigue, including:
- Lack of quality sleep - Not getting enough restorative sleep can lead to next-day fatigue. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Poor nutrition - Eating a diet low in essential nutrients can cause your body to feel drained of energy. Be sure to eat a balanced diet high in vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and complex carbs. My clinic, Optimal Hormone Solutions, offers personalized nutrition plans to help combat fatigue!
- Dehydration - Being even mildly dehydrated can sap your energy. Aim to drink enough fluid daily so that your urine is a light yellow color.
- Anemia - Having an iron, B12 or other nutritional deficiency can diminish oxygen transport in the blood, reducing energy. Get your levels checked annually!
- Underlying health condition - Issues like thyroid disorders, heart disease, depression, autoimmune disorders and sleep apnea can all contribute to increased tiredness. Rule these out with testing if fatigue is ongoing.
- Medications - Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications list fatigue as a potential side effect.
- Mental exhaustion - Stress, anxiety and overwork can manifest as strong mental fatigue. Make time for meaningful rest and relaxation. Our clinicians at Optimal Hormone Solutions provide personally-tailored biohacking protocols using peptides and nootropics to help clients overcome mental fatigue!
How can you combat fatigue? Here are some tips:
- Establish consistent sleep routines to optimize rest
- Incorporate exercise which can boost energy over time
- Stay hydrated and eat a nutritious, balanced diet
- Take breaks to decompress when mentally exhausted
- Address any underlying health issues with your doctor
- Evaluate medications with side effects making you tired
- Reduce and manage life stresses
- Try supplements like B vitamins, magnesium, coconut oil, ginseng
Feeling constantly drained, sleepy and weak can severely impact one's quality of life. If you're battling ongoing fatigue or exhaustion and these self-help tips aren't helping, please reach out. The experienced health coaches at Optimal Hormone Solutions offer cutting-edge evaluations and science-backed treatment plans to help clients regain their energy, focus and wellbeing. We're here to help!