Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Everyone feels tired after physical exertion or long periods of hard work. A good night’s sleep usually solves the problem, but sometimes fatigue seems to drag on for days, and can interfere with our daily activities. The most obvious cause is difficulty in sleeping, but you may also feel tired if you are stressed, or a bit depressed. An unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are common contributory factors.
What you can do
• If you feel tired all the time, try the following adjustments to help you get your energy back.
• Get enough sleep each night. Don’t postpone your sleep for weekends. Follow a regular sleep pattern.
• Never miss breakfast. Include fresh vegetables, fruit, cereals, whole-grain bread and pasta, and brown rice in your diet. Cut down on fatty foods, such as cheese and red meat, and on sugar and salt.
• Try to spend time each day in fresh air. Exercise regularly, particularly if you have a sedentary job.
• Make time for leisure activities. Try some deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises.
• Try power napping. If you find yourself nodding off during the day or you feel drowsy while driving, a brief nap may help you function better. An ideal nap lasts about 10–15 minutes, but even a 5-minute nap will leave you brighter and sharper afterward. Sleeping for more than 15 minutes helps, but you may feel groggy afterward.
• Don’t nap late in the day or fall asleep in front of the TV in the evening, and don’t use naps to catch up on sleep if you are having difficulty sleeping.
• Consult a doctor if you still
feel tired after following the above points.
While it’s important to consult a medical practitioner for one’s ailment, it is also important to empower oneself with the right information. Every week we will discuss about some common conditions and ways to deal with it before we see a doctor.
