5 Surprising Sources of Fatigue
By Stepy Kamei
Fatigue can be a frustrating health issue to deal with. It's not just about feeling tired; fatigue has been shown to reduce productivity, lower the immune system, and even increase the risk of developing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and heart disease. You probably know some of the more common causes of fatigue, such as not sleeping well, loading up on junk food, or living a sedentary lifestyle. However, there can be some surprising sources of fatigue that you may not be aware of. Read on to learn more about some overlooked reasons why you may be feeling fatigued, and what you can do to prevent it.
Exercising Too Much
Can there be too much of a good thing? This comes as a shock to many people, considering the health benefits of exercising regularly are widely known. Still, if you exercise too much, you could be pushing your body beyond its limits. It's normal to feel some tiredness right after a workout, but if you find yourself tired or even sore for the next few days after a workout, it's very likely that your body is being overworked without getting the time it needs to rest and recover. Resting for a few days in between workouts isn't a sign of laziness -- it's essential in order to maintain total well-being. Consider only working out 3 days a week, no longer than one hour each session, in order to prevent chronic fatigue and overwork.
Hydrating the Wrong Way
Drinking plenty of fluids is vital to your health, but there's really only one thing you can drink to truly stay hydrated -- water. Juice, tea, coffee, and soda just can't provide your body with the hydration that water can. Juice and soda tend to be packed full of sugar, which can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate in unhealthy ways, and can also cause inflammation in the body. Tea and coffee tend to have the opposite effect of water, causing you to dehydrate faster due to their diuretic properties. It's OK to indulge in these drinks occasionally, but just remember they aren't a substitute for water, so be sure to always have a refillable bottle on hand.
Burnout From Bad News
Sometimes, no news is good news. Keeping up to date with the events of the world can be exhausting on your mental health, which can easily translate to feelings of fatigue within the body. It's important to know what's going on in the world, but given how easy it is to be overloaded with current events these days thanks to social media, it's easy to get burnt out. Just be mindful to take care of your mental health and not overload yourself with information.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Surprise, Ariz.