Saturday, May 30, 2009

Reduce Fatigue In 5 Natural Ways

By Russell Stubbs

Why is fatigue such a common problem?

There are many different reasons for people experiencing fatigue. It can be as a symptom of a number of health conditions, including viruses or bacterial infections. Fatigue can also occur as a result of stress. The problem is a common one with the numbers of people reporting this issue rising constantly.

Could stress result in fatigue?

Once other health conditions have been explored and discounted there are a number of natural approaches that can help. When the fatigue can not be attributed to an illness, the cause is very often some form of stress. If left unattended this could develop into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or M.E. (Myalgic Encephomyalitis).

Prevent it from getting worse!

The number of people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME is estimated to be 2% of the population. It is possible to learn techniques that naturally reduce stress. If used regularly these techniques can reduce fatigue naturally whilst preventing the development of a chronic condition.

Why relax when I am already fatigued?

The thought of relaxing, for some people, seems pointless whilst attempting to improve energy levels. When we are experiencing stress our system is constantly switched on. When the stress response is consistently activated in this way it can be a major cause of fatigue.

How can I reduce my fatigue?

A fatigued system can benefit from regular deep relaxation of the mind and body. This type of relaxation is different to the kind we experience whilst sleeping. There are many forms of focused relaxation techniques that are easy to perform. Guided relaxation recordings can be helpful for some.

Breathing practices

Through Chi Gung, Yoga and Tai Chi, breathing practices have been used for thousands of years as part of eastern traditions. Breathing practices have been proven to have many physiological benefits by Western medical science more recently. When experiencing stress and anxiety people tend to breathe in a shallow way. More stress can be caused by this poor quality breathing leading to more fatigue.

Self-applied acupressure

In the reduction of stress, acupuncture has proven to be highly effective. In conditions such as anxiety, acupressure has proven to be more effective than acupuncture. Acupressure can easily be self-applied through the use of tapping techniques. Stress relief points on the head and body are tapped using the finger tips in order to reduce fatigue.

Do you need more water?

Dehydration is common and can be a cause of fatigue. In order for our system to operate at optimum levels, adequate water is needed. Drinking too much tea and coffee can cause us to lose water due to their diuretic nature. Extracting water from sweet carbonated drinks takes considerable effort from our systems. Fresh drinking water is a good replacement for our regular drinks and can be taken warm or cold.

Are you eating the right foods?

Processed sugary foods like chocolate and sweets should be avoided. An energy surge is soon followed by a dip after consuming theses foods. Fresh or dried fruit is a good alternative if you like sweet foods. Brown rice, oats, muesli and whole grain foods are beneficial as they contain complex carbohydrates. A steady stream of energy is available from these foods as they break down more slowly than the simple carbs in sugary foods.

In summary

Our lives are full of stresses that lead to fatigue and some cannot be avoided. We are over stimulated, living in a world of communication that is constant. It is necessary to take time-out of our busy schedules to rest and nurture our systems. It is possible to reduce stress naturally and it only takes a few minutes each day using the right techniques.

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