Beat Fatigue with These 6 Tips

Fatigue is a common report in all neurological disorders and can have many causes. Below are tips from myself and one of our pilot patients, LAF, on how to address the different causes of fatigue.

Medication management

Medications can create side effects. Check with your healthcare provider to make sure your medications are not increasing fatigue

Managing heat/high temperatures

Taking rest breaks can prevent your core temperature from rising and can also allow for recovery during activity or exercise. 

LAF: “If the weather is warm my legs feel more sluggish and I tire more quickly. So on holidays, I have to be careful to avoid the sun and try to keep as cool as possible. Similarly, if my temperature is above normal, for example, due to any mild infection, my body’s reaction is the same and I may have to stay seated as much as I can or even stay in bed until my temperature returns to normal.”

Take a look at your posture 

It requires greater effort to walk in a stooped position than to walk upright. Posture can be improved by performing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold you up.

Choose more frequent, shorter walks 

Take breaks when walking. Instead of walking to the point of fatigue stop prior to fatigue, and allow yourself to recover, then resume walking. This allows for greater walking ability. 

LAF: “My legs feel heavy and this makes walking and standing up for any length of time tiring. To manage the fatigue I make sure that I take rest after exertion. So if I have a physical task to do, I plan to complete a certain amount and then sit down to rest. This sometimes means resuming the task later in the day or perhaps leaving it until the next day. I have learned to listen to my body and recognize when I need to stop and rest.”

Assess your sleep health

Proper sleep is crucial. Almost half of Americans say they feel sleepy during the day 3-7 days per week (2020 Sleepiness, Sleep Foundation). If you feel sleep impacts your fatigue during the day, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to improve sleep quality based on the cause. 

Use assistive devices or modify activities

Reduce energy costs of walking by using an assistive device or altering the activity you are doing.

LAF: “Using a walking stick or walker helps alleviate the fatigue I feel in my legs when walking as well as helping balance. Standing, for example, to prepare food or at a party, becomes tiring, and I use a stool in the kitchen where possible. Sometimes I need to sit down in the bathroom to brush my teeth.”

Fatigue can result from many different causes. Identifying and managing the cause can result in the ability to safely complete desired tasks throughout your day.