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Struggling With Fatigue

  • Published
  • By Amy Grantham
  • 17th Training Wing Safety
We all struggle with fatigue at some point in our lives. Fatigue is accompanied by the desire to sleep and lack of motivation to anything else. Fatigue could be one symptom of an underlying medical problem, most of the time it can be traced back to your habits or routine.

The top three reasons you might be fatigued:

What you eat.

Reaching for caffeine and sugar can backfire, leaving you more fatigued as your blood sugar levels fluctuate wildly. Instead, go for a balanced and healthy diet complete with fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

"Most people feel like they're less tired if they eat a healthy diet," says J. Fred Ralston Jr., past president of the American College of Physicians. “Eating healthy also means you'll carry less weight, and obesity is a big contributor to fatigue.”

How much you sleep.

Many people don't get enough sleep. If you're one of them, avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours just before bedtime, turn off the TV before bed and keep your bedroom quiet and restful.

How much you exercise.

This is the biggie, Ralston says. His favorite prescription for plain old tiredness is regular, vigorous exercise. Finish at least three hours before bedtime, so you have time to wind down. If you think exercising will just make you more tired, the good news is exercise breeds energy!