Battling Fatigue - METS
It is not always easy to pinpoint the exact reason why one may feel low on energy; but between the pandemic, isolation, the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and the uprising against systemic oppression, it is normal to feel fatigued. If you suddenly find it difficult to go about your day, I can offer some ideas to help you get back to your normal self. I have struggled with fatigue and over the years, I have found useful tricks that work when I am worn out. I have an acronym I use - METS; Move, Eat, Therapy and Sleep.
By move I mean exercise. Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you are tired and far from energetic. However, exercising is proven to give you more energy. In addition, exercise releases endorphins, which uplifts the mood. Moving your body does not have to involve jumping on a treadmill; it could be dancing to your favorite song, taking a walk outside— the objective is to move your body. Run, jog, speed walk or just walk — do whatever works for you.
Eat a balanced diet. It is easy to throw this aside and settle into a tub of ice cream, as fatigue can adversely affect your appetite. Eating whole, fresh foods can help clear and cleanse your body and mind. A balanced diet can boost energy levels and can combat fatigue or exhaustion in the long term. I am in no way condoning ice cream, but if you are but if you are constantly feeling fatigued and exhausted, it is a good idea to step back and evaluate diet and see if you have a healthy balance of all your main food groups. It is important to remember that this is all about balance, so if you feel like you need a snack from time to time go ahead and treat yourself, but don’t overdo it.
Talk to somebody. Make use of your friends and family to discuss the things that are bothering you. If you feel like you need more professional help, consider seeing a therapist for talk therapy. Counselling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy have been proven to be very effective in dealing with fatigue. Licensed therapy helps break down the issues you are facing, identify your triggers and deal with these triggers productively.
Getting a good night’s sleep might seem far off but it is necessary when battling fatigue. The body must take out time to replenish and heal. If falling asleep is more difficult than usual, try journaling before bed, following guided mediation, aromatherapy, reading (from a physical book please!), doing yoga or practicing mindfulness. It is also important to avoid your screens before bed- your phone, the TV and your tablet. All these gadgets stimulate the brain, which is what we do not want when trying to fall asleep.
Fatigue is very normal and can come about due to stress, over working, over thinking, anxiety and the like. It is important to be attentive to your body when you start feeling symptoms of fatigue. Take time to slow down and practice METS.
Design by Sofia Staartjes
