Solutions - FSEAP

           Issue 60     
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How can you beat fatigue?
Feeling tired? Wornout? Has the zip gone out of your step?

You may be suffering from fatigue.

Fatigue is a condition of weariness or exhaustion that can be caused by a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions. It's often a by-product of extreme stress.

How can you beat fatigue? Take a close look at these important areas of your life...

How to Beat Fatigue

How's your diet? Are you too busy to prepare decent meals? Do you eat a lot of junk food on the run? A diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals gives you energy and helps cleanse your digestive system. And it's not a bad idea to use vitamins to supplement your diet.

Establish priorities at home and at work. Prioritizing is the act of choosing from many conflicting demands. Clarify your values and long-term goals. Learn to prioritize job and household tasks so you can work more effectively and enjoy time with your family.

Are you getting enough rest? Sleep needs vary, but most people feel rested after seven or eight hours of shut-eye. If you get enough rest, but still feel ready to call it a day in the middle of the afternoon, you may need more exercise to boost your metabolism.

Do you have a regular exercise routine? People who run, swim, play tennis or walk vigorously at least three times a week are better equipped to handle stress than stationary folks. If you don't have a regular exercise program, start one soon.

How's your mental health? If you feel depressed, lonely or anxious, you're also likely to feel fatigued. These feelings are signs that you need to make changes in your life. Talk with a trusted friend or a professional counselor. Try to pinpoint the areas of your life that feel out of balance. Be honest about your feelings. You'll probably find a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm.

Act, don't worry. Worry is a waste of time and energy. Take action to address a concern or fix a problem. Your worries will recede into the background once you act.

Is your life well balanced? Are you working long hours with little time for fun and relaxation? If you're fatigued, it's easy to feel too tired for friends or family. But isolation can lead to greater feelings of anxiety and depression. Even though you feel like retreating, reach out to others and enjoy their company.

Try these simple stretches and rolls to help relieve headaches and fatigue:
  • Neck roll. Stretch your right ear to your right shoulder, keeping your left shoulder pulled down. Roll your head down so your chin is on your chest. Continue on to your left side. Do rolls from side to side. Begin with eight, build up to 16.
  • Shoulder shrug. Draw a big circle with your shoulders, one at a time. Start with four, build up to eight times, going forward, then back.
  • Pick fruit. With one hand, reach up as if you were picking an apple from a tree slightly ahead and far above you. Go from one arm to the other, building up to eight times on each side.
  • Massage yourself. Use your right hand to work on your left shoulder and left hand on your right shoulder. Work your fingers gently but firmly, beginning with your shoulder blade, moving up toward the neck and including the scalp.
  • Standing body roll. Let your head roll forward until your chin is on your chest. Keep rolling down as your knees begin to bend. When your hands are hanging near your knees, rest there a moment and slowly roll back up. Work up to 10 times.
Source: Adapted from "How to Beat Fatigue" (1960.026) and "Relax Your Stress Triangle" (1600.042) © Parlay International. Distributed under license.
FSEAP offers confidential professional assistance on a wide variety of personal and work-related issues. For more information on your EAP, call 1.800.668.9920 or visit your MyEAP Web site at www.myfseap.com.
 
*Clicking on this link will open a new window and take you to a Web site that is not affiliated with myfseap.com or Family Services Employee Assistance Programs. Links to other sites of interest are provided here as a service to you, however, we can make no claim as to the accuracy or validity of any information contained on these sites. As always, speak with a counsellor or physician for advice that is specific to you and your situation.
This newsletter is to provide timely information to readers; contents are not intended as advice to individual problems. Please contact your EAP professional for assistance. Editorial material is to be used at your discretion and does not necessarily imply endorsement by Family Services Employee Assistance Programs.
All articles © Family Services Employee Assistance Programs (FSEAP), except where noted otherwise. Please note that the posting of the Solutions newsletters or any articles in whole or part on any public Web site is prohibited. Customers and clients of FSEAP can access an online archive of current and back issues: log on to www.myfseap.com using your assigned Group Name and Password and select Solutions Newsletter from the MyHealth menu. To request permission to reprint specific Solutions articles, contact FSEAP at info@fseap.com.

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