From Exhausted to Energized: Understanding Strategies to Beat Fatigue

We’ve all likely experienced at least a day or two where we had low energy and found that we were dragging ourselves to the end of the day. While it’s not uncommon to have an off day, consistently experiencing low energy or fatigue can be a concern. Fatigue is characterized by persistent exhaustion that typically does not improve with rest or sleep. It is possible to experience both a state of physical and/or mental fatigue where it can significantly impact one’s ability to engage in every day activities. Common symptoms include muscle weakness, inability to perform tasks, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, unrefreshing sleep, and need for frequent naps.

Even if fatigue has become the norm, it doesn’t mean that it has to stay that way. Here are some things to consider if you have been experiencing chronic low energy.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies

Assessing your nutrient status through lab work is an important first step in understanding the root cause of fatigue. Common nutrients associated with low energy include vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron. In addition to assessing blood work, it is also important to take a look at your overall nutrition. Your body requires a certain amount of calories and macronutrients to thrive, and the requirements differ from person to person. Consulting with your Naturopathic Doctor about your personal requirements and ways to optimize your nutrient status is typically a foundational element to improving fatigue.

2. Addressing Sleep Quality and Duration

It can be challenging to have good energy levels if you are experiencing poor sleep quality on a consistent basis. Working through ways to optimize sleep through sleep hygiene, lifestyle modifications, and supplementation may be helpful in promoting better energy support.

3. Addressing Underlying Health Concerns

Long term, persistent fatigue may be related to various health concerns, such as poor blood sugar regulation, thyroid health, autoimmune conditions, hormonal health, chronic infections, and psychological health such as anxiety and/or depression. Having a thorough, investigative workup completed can be helpful in understanding how to improve health concerns that may be contributing to fatigue.

Addressing fatigue is often a very individualized process, and proper assessment can help you understand your experience with low energy and your treatment options. If you're wanting to learn more about how to optimize your health, please book a free 15-minute call or an initial appointment with our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Adriane, ND to get started.