Are you plagued with constant fatigue even though you’ve done little to no exercise or strenuous activity recently? You’re not alone. The search term ‘constant fatigue’ saw a 160% increase on search engines last year. But what’s causing all of this?
Constant Fatigue = Pandemic Fatigue
It’s no coincidence that you’re starting to feel this with many of us still working from home. The pandemic has caused a global health crisis in more ways than one, and many people are now reporting constant fatigue as one of the many side effects. So what can you do to feel better?
Here are our 4 top tips for beating constant fatigue:
1. Eat Better
We already know that what we put into our bodies has a major effect on how it performs. But when you’re feeling tired it’s all too tempting to order a takeaway or raid your cupboards of all the junk. While it’s important to give yourself those little cheat moments from time to time, you can’t fight fatigue with no fuel.
Here are a few simple things you can do to stop your diet making your fatigue even worse:
- Swap processed foods for healthier, homemade versions to rid your body of the nasties that are weighing you down.
- Cut out caffeine (or cut down, at least!). Caffeine gives your body a quick boost, only to come crashing down a short while later. You’re better off without it!
- Just like caffeine, sugar offers little to no nutritional value and can have you feeling exhausted after a binge. Swap the sugary snacks for filling alternatives like oats topped with fruit for a slow release of energy.
2. Exercise More
It may seem counterintuitive, but we promise it’s not. If you’re experiencing fatigue, that doesn’t necessarily mean your body is worn out from all the physical strain it’s been under. It’s more likely that your fatigue is manifesting out of a lack of motivation and a lack of focus. In fact, one of the primary symptoms of long COVID is brain fog, and this is what’s most likely to be making you feel lethargic.
Fortunately, exercise is one of the most effective ways to restore clarity and focus in the mind, and for a number of different reasons. Studies show that when we exercise, more blood flows toward the brain, feeding it with energy and oxygen for better performance.
Sweating also revs up the hippocampus – the part of our brain that’s responsible for memory and learning. The result is better overall cognitive function after exercise and a renewed sense of energy and wellbeing.
So next time you feel fatigue coming on, go for a run, do some power yoga, or cycle it away.
3. Improve Your Sleep
It’s undeniable – sleep is the single most important thing you can do to help your body recover from anything, be it physically or mentally. And while the amount of sleep you’re getting will play a role in how tired you feel throughout the day, the quality of your sleep is imperative. Even if you have trouble sleeping the recommended 8 hours a night, taking steps to improve the sleep you’re getting could help you fight that lockdown fatigue.
Here are some simple steps you can try if you have trouble sleeping:
- Take a lukewarm shower before bed to help your muscles relax and regulate your body temperature
- Take some CBD-infused Relief Drops and help your mind and body to wind down
4. Look After Your Mental Health
Sometimes our bodies can react to stressful situations with feelings of extreme exhaustion. This is why one of the most common indicators of stress and anxiety is wanting to stay in bed for prolonged periods.
Being in lockdown for so long certainly took its toll on many people’s mental health, with one in five UK adults experiencing depression throughout the pandemic. But ensuring that your mind is happy and healthy, as well as your body, is just as important in the fight against fatigue. That’s why it’s crucial to establish a wellness routine that nurtures your physical and mental health.
Taking the time to indulge in some much-needed self-care is one of the easiest and most effective ways to look after your mind. Having a weekly soak infused with Epsom Salts and essential oils can help melt away the stress of a hard week. And taking CBD-infused Relief Drops can calm the mind instantly, soothing the symptoms of anxiety.