We all experience fatigue at some point in our day. Sometimes this is in the afternoon or after exercise. The feeling of heaviness that leads us to snack or nap is relevant as we age. So what is fatigue exactly? Fatigue is a state of extreme exhaustion that can be experienced as both mental or physical. As we age the feeling of fatigue grows more profound in our lives. What factors effect how much fatigue we experience? Does drinking and smoking help with fatigue or does it increase the amount we feel. Does sleeping in help with fatigue?
There are many types of fatigue. Physical fatigue is defined as physical feelings of tiredness in the body and can cause a decrease in physical capacity and stamina. Physical fatigue can be caused by over working your muscles, illness, as a result of not exercising, and as an effect from taking medications that have side effects. Mental fatigue occurs when we are unable to concentrate or motivate ourselves to do. We can feel a feeling of burnout mentally and not want to do anything. Emotional fatigue is fatigue related to emotional stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. There are many lifestyle factors that play a role in causing or preventing fatigue.
The factors that effect the amount of fatigue we experience are physiological changes, sleep, health conditions, medications, mental health, and lifestyle. Aging and natural decline contribute to loss in muscle mass, bond density, and overall physique. This leads to increased fatigue during exercise. Sleep patterns are a factor in how much fatigue we experience; lack sleep contributes more fatigue. Health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions can contribute to your fatigue. The side effects that limit physical activity also contribute to overall lack of wellness causing higher levels of exhaustion. Medications with side effects that cause fatigue are also a factor. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health decline can play a role in feelings of weariness. Finally lifestyle factors like diet, activity, social life, and drugs are large factors in how much fatigue you experience and dictate your energy levels. To ensure we are minimizing these effects we can choose to eat healthy diets, maintain good sleep patters, practice mindfulness, engage socially, and consult a healthcare professional if we feel we need to.
In conclusion life is filled with decisions we make that either contribute to our fatigue or help to minimize it. It is up to us to manage the factors that contribute to levels of fatigue and our quality of life. Enjoying activities like yoga and simple exercise can help in minimizing the effects of fatigue. Choosing a vegetables and fruits instead of sugary snacks can help. Ensuring you are practicing a healthy sleep pattern also helps in preventing fatigue and maintains energy levels. Avoiding any unhealthy habits that a sum to larger problems including drinking, smoking, and over eating is ideal in minimizing fatigue. The repeating fatigue we experience daily can be recede or even leave if we maintain a healthy routine with healthy habits. When daily chores are too much contact your healthcare professional or hire a private pay caregiver here on the Champion Care website. A caregiver can help with household chores and errands for you. A caregiver can help lessen your daily burden and help in maintaining your independence.