Fatigue

Ah, yes, our old friend, Fatigue. And he’s bringing along his brothers Exhaustion and Lethargy.

Everyone is tired sometimes, but some people are tired all the time. That doesn’t seem right, does it? If you find that you feel tired most of the time, there are things you can do to feel better and more energized.

First, let’s look at the causes of fatigue. Obviously, failing to get enough sleep is the big one. The American Medical Association recommends 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep each night for adults. No doubt you knew that, but do you abide by it? Few Americans do.

In our culture, we have accepted a way of life that includes working too hard, playing too hard, even working out too hard. We work long hours and take little vacation time. We volunteer for our children’s sports teams and schools. We work out too much — or far too little. We also want to enjoy some social time and attend family events.

Face it, we are a nation of non-resters! Do you ever sit in front of the TV about 10:00 p.m. and think, “I’ll just watch the news and then go to bed.”? And then, at 10:35, do you think, “I’ll just watch a little bit of Jay Leno (or David Letterman) and then I’ll turn in.”? Do you find yourself turning in after 11:30 most nights?

If you’re like most folks, you have to get up around 6:00 or so, but do your own math: how close are you to getting those eight hours of sleep?

Besides a lack of sleep, there are other causes of fatigue, as well. Depression, for example, feeds on fatigue and vice versa. When you are depressed, you may not sleep well or you may sleep too much. Because depression depresses your physical body as well as your mind, it causes you to feel tired. So tired = depressed = tired = depressed.

And let’s not forget insomnia. While there are lucky people who rarely have any trouble, most people have difficulty sleeping during times of stress or worry, and an unlucky few — numbering “only” in the millions in America — suffer chronically. Naturally, if you are unable to sleep, it is the same as not going to bed at all.

What can be done about all of these causes of fatigue and the resulting lethargy, lack of productivity, depression, and “burn-out”? Obviously, for starters, try getting enough sleep! When the weather or sports are over, turn that TV off and hit the hay! Better yet, have a little stroll after supper, then enjoy a book before bed.

It is important not to try to “catch up” on your sleep on weekends. Try to keep a similar schedule, sleeping no more than an extra hour, on Saturday and Sunday. This helps your body remember what it’s doing on Monday.

If you suffer from depression, there are many remedies available. Counseling, medication, or a combination of the two is helpful for many people.

As for insomnia, there are herbal remedies which most people find to be very helpful. In the case of chronic insomnia, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by your doctor, to be sure there isn’t anything needing medical attention.

And last but not least, I want to recommend moderate exercise. Even a 30-minute walk three or four times a week will raise your energy level and your spirits! You will find that you sleep better too. And of course, a little more exercise will carry increased benefits!

Here are a few resources for more information:

www.sleepfoundation.org

www.sleepnet.com

www.sleepquest.com

And testimonials about fatigue and Niteworks™ on HerbaCall and information about Herbalife products Sleep Now, Relax Now, and Niteworks™.

I hope you have found our “fatigue” issue helpful. Oh …and pleasant dreams!