Does it ever feel like you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off? We all have our commitments – work, family gatherings, social events, workouts, etc. And everything takes a lot of time. It’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed by everything life throws at you. Physical and mental fatigue are two of the most common health complaints I hear about and I know firsthand how hard it is to get through life when all you want to do is sleep. But, luckily, I have some amazing ways to beat fatigue naturally!
More and more women complain about chronic exhaustion. I hear things like “I’m so tired after work that all I do now is hit the couch for the night”. Or, “I wish I could exercise more but I’m just so tired all the time that I don’t have the energy for it”.
Statements like those make me sad. Because it hurts me to hear that so many women are suffering from this constant state of debilitating fatigue that I have suffered from for far too long. My life was unbearable for years, until I learned mostly how to deal with it.
When I finally discovered how to beat fatigue naturally, though, I was finally able to enjoy my life. I joined some amazing dance classes, made a few new friends and even started working out!
And this is what I want for you, too.
Stop the Blood Sugar Rollercoaster
Okay, so hear me out.
Once you stop the blood sugar rollercoaster, your energy will bounce back fast. You’ll feel like a million bucks. You’ll want to go out dancing into the early morning hours with your friends (if they can keep up). The weekend will hit and you’ll be packing up your car for a weekend getaway. Nothing will faze you.
It’s that simple!
Um, well, yes, one of the simplest ways to beat fatigue naturally is to stabilize blood sugar. But is it easy?
That depends. When you’re really, really tired, your body craves sweets and junk food. And when you eat those foods, you stay on the blood sugar rollercoaster. So, it really takes a conscious effort and motivation to get yourself off that ride!
Here are some simple ways to help you beat fatigue naturally without going crazy:
- Eat enough food each day. This is probably one of the most common problems I see in my clients. They want to lose weight and look and feel sexy and energetic but they starve themselves. And this is not their fault; it’s the fault of our media and weight loss industry because they told us all that to lose weight and feel great you need to eat less. Not true!
- Eat often…for now. For those of you I’ve worked with, you may be saying “what?” but you’ve been through this with me for a while. If you’re starting out and want to beat fatigue naturally, eat every 2-3 hours to keep blood sugar stable throughout the day.
- Eat more healthy fat. Eek – fat? Yes, fat…healthy fats are neglected on most popular diet programs and our society still has this misconception that eating fat will make you fat. It won’t. It’ll actually burn fat. So, avocados, raw nuts and seeds, nut butters, coconut stuff (oil, butter, milk, etc.), and wild-caught salmon are your friend!
- Include protein with every single meal and snack. And know where to find protein – all animal products have protein. The best sources are lean cuts of meat, poultry, or fish, and eggs. Whole grains and beans have some protein. Some supplements are a great addition to any diet if you don’t get enough. Aim for 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of bodyweight.
Get Up Off That Couch!
I get it – when you’re dead tired after a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is hit the gym. However, as hard as it can be to drag your butt out the door and into that Zumba class, it is absolutely one of the best ways to beat fatigue naturally!
Get your body moving. Movement circulates nutrients to your cells, which allows them to feel energized and alive. This, in turn, boosts your energy and your mental alertness, making you feel less tired.
Even a 10-15 walk will do amazing things to beat fatigue naturally!
Try going for a walk when your 3 pm afternoon slump hits instead of reaching for more coffee or sugar!
Prioritize Your Sleep!
Yes, I know, it’s very obvious that lack of sleep will make you tired. But, tell me, how often do you scrimp on sleep to get more work done, watch more Netflix or play on your phone? (Hey, I’m guilty too!)
Or maybe you have every intention of getting a better sleep each night but your body has stopped cooperating!
Hormonal imbalances may prevent a good sleep. You may feel wired and tired at bedtime, or you may wake up at 3 am and not be able to fall back to sleep. Both of these things are awful but can be overcome!
It’s also super important to set up your bedroom for good quality sleep. So, make it dark, cool, noise- and distraction-free, etc (I’m sure you know the drill). If your partner snores, tell them to sleep in another room. (It’s what I had to do!)
You can also help beat fatigue naturally by using essential oils. Dab some lavender on your pillow before bed, and inhale natural orange or peppermint during the day to wake you up.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
Okay, seriously, this is THE easiest way to beat fatigue naturally! Are you doing it?
Start each day with a big glass of water, before coffee or soda or food or anything else. Make sure to drink water throughout the day (no excuses, keep a bottle on your desk so you can’t ‘forget’ to drink it).
Chances are you’re tired from all the stress in your life. Your body may actually have a salt deficit, so you can try adding a little bit of Himalayan salt to 1 liter of water and drink that each day.
Dehydration drains our energy, our concentration and our focus, so hydrate well, especially during those busy work days.
Conclusion
Beat fatigue naturally with some of my favorite tips from above. Fatigue comes from poor nutrition, poor sleep, hormone imbalances and stress. One of the best ways to improve your energy is to eat healthy. And don’t forget the water!
References
Glycemic Index Foundation – https://www.gisymbol.com/about-glycemic-index/
California State University Long Beach, Public Affairs & Publications – https://web.csulb.edu/misc/inside/archives/vol_58_no_4/1.htm
National Sleep Foundation – https://sleepfoundation.org/press-release/what-good-quality-sleep
Time.com Health Land – http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/19/bad-mood-low-energy-there-might-be-a-simple-explanation/
