Stuck at home and feeling fatigued? The pandemic has many of us feeling cooped up, and spending your whole day at home, during and after work, can be draining. Here are some tips for how to fight that fatigue:
Pre-plan your meals
When we feel tired it is harder to prep and plan meals everyday, making it easier to reach for something that might not be as healthy out of convenience. Pre-planning meals days in advance gives you more time throughout the day and allows you to stay on your schedule of foods you want to eat while avoiding the ones you don’t.
Stay hydrated
You may have heard this before, but water is important! Dehydration can lead to fatigue, so making sure to drink all throughout the day can keep your energy levels high.
Get enough sleep
If you aren’t getting 7-8 hours a night, you will undoubtedly feel more tired throughout the day. Your body refreshes itself throughout the night, so sleep is crucial to fighting fatigue.
Stay active
Being too sedentary isn’t just harmful for your health, but it’s also not good for your motivation and discipline. Exercising gives you a boost of energy that’s incredibly helpful keeping you going throughout the day.
Get away from the screen
Working from home often means staring at a computer screen all day. And if you don’t use a computer to work, there’s a good chance you still look at either a phone or television for hours a day. We all do it. But it drains our energy levels and keeps us sitting still. Try a board game or puzzle to use your brain in a different way. Getting outside for a walk or other exercise can also provide a great boost during the day.
Sunshine
As the days are getting longer, make time to enjoy the sunshine. Studies have shown that the mood stabilizer serotonin levels in the brain increases in response to sunlight. Ever wonder why people seem happier in summer or in warmer climates? Sunlight also helps to regulate melatonin levels which helps in regulating circadian rhythms in the body. Let’s not forget the production of Vitamin D which plays a role in bone formation and could help decrease the risk for developing certain diseases.
While it is natural to feel tired mentally and physically during these challenging times, small changes in your lifestyle can boost your energy and make you feel great.
