Fat!gu3

Feeling bone-tired, as so many people do, is disheartening, demoralizing, and frustrating. Life is passing by, and you can't keep up with it. Willpower doesn't work, so what does? Sometimes your best bet is a total energy makeover-changes in the way you eat, drink, and exercise. Or maybe your solution is simple: slee. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have your doctor test your blood for hypothyroidism, anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and other conditions that can cause fatigue.

Quick Fixes

• For a quick pick-me-up, put two drops of peppermint oil on a tissue, hold it to your nose, and breathe deeply. If you have more time, try adding two drops of the oil to bathwater along with four drops of rosemary oil for an invigorating soak.
• Lie on your back and use pillows to prop your feet at a level higher than your head. In India, yogis fight fatigue through such practices by encouraging blood flow to the brain, which is thought to boost alertness.

High-Octane Eating

• Eat a good breakfast along with several small meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. That's better than eating two or three large meals. This will keep your blood sugar levels steady and help prevent your energy from plunging.
• Go easy on foods high in refined carbohydrates-that is, lots of white sugar or white flour. These foods make your blood sugar rise rapidly, then crash quickly.
• Eat more high-fibre foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain cereals, whole-wheat bread, and vegetables. These help stabilize blood sugar.
• Cut down on your intake of fatty foods.

What to Drink

• Sip water all day long, at least eight glasses. Even a little dehydration can make you fatigued.
• Keep caffeinated drinks to a minimum. The caffeine can give you a short-term burst of energy, but following that "rush," there's typically a "crash."
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. It also reduces your blood sugar level.

Get Your Engine Moving

• Most days of the week, try to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. Not only does exercise help you shed pounds (carrying extra weight is tiring), it gives you an energy boost. People who exercise regularly also tend to sleep better.
• Slip in 10 minutes of low-level exercise when you feel sluggish. Almost any kind of activity will help-singing, taking deep breaths, walking, or stretching.

Nod Off to Switch On

• Always get up at the same time, even on weekends. Your body will eventually get the hang of the steady sleep schedule.
• Go to bed earlier than normal if you need extra sleep. As long as you're getting up at the same time every morning, it's fine to have a flexible getting-to-bed schedule.

When to consult a doctor

If you feel tired "all the time" even after you've taken steps to treat fatigue, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you have fatigue along with sudden onset of abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or severe headache, seek immediate medical attention. Other chronic symptoms that might require a doctor's attention are muscle aches, nausea, depression, fever, or difficulty seeing.

Plagiarism!~S,M,~