How to reduce holiday fatigue
Holiday or acute fatigue is usually brought on when people do not take proper care of their bodies. Not getting enough sleep, excessive physical activity, inactivity, drinking too much alcohol, drinking alcohol too late at night, excessive use of caffeine, and abuse of non-prescription cough and cold medications, may cause holiday fatigue. Limit your alcohol, caffeine and medication intake, and practice the following methods to reduce holiday fatigue.
Get a good night’s sleep
You’ll be able to accomplish a lot more.
Although sleep amounts vary according to age and each individual, the average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep in order to feel energized and rested, reports the National Sleep Foundation, in Washington, D.C.
Individuals should also keep a consistent schedule of waking and sleeping, including the weekends.
“Inconsistent sleep schedules will throw a person’s natural sleep rhythm off and create an emotional imbalance in the body, resulting in fatigue,” explains Columbia, MD naturopath, Dr. Adara L. Walton, founder of HeartBridge Wellness, LLC.
Take warm baths
At the end of a busy day taking a warm bath (not a shower) for 15-20 minutes, using your favorite scents, therapeutic salts and essential oils, such as lavender, will reduce tiredness and fatigue in the muscles.
“The herbs and flowers in these products have antispasmodic properties that produce a relaxing effect on your muscles, and relax the mind,”Walton says.
Get a massage
Make this a holiday treat to yourself. A licensed massage therapist will be able to loosen your body’s pressure points. Massage will increase circulation and increase mobility. It will also relieve pain and stress in the body by relaxing the nervous system, thereby reducing fatigue.
Laugh
Tis’ the season to be jolly! Laughter relaxes the entire body, uplifts the spirit, relieves stress, and relaxes the muscles. Helpguide.org states that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and promotes an overall sense of well-being. It can even temporarily relieve pain.
Relax the mind
Listen to soothing music, meditate, pray. Visualize beautiful scenes.
Exercise
Keep moving. Low-impact, high-impact, stretching, yoga, and pilates, and other forms of exercise will reduce fatigue by relaxing and toning the muscles, bringing additional oxygen to the lungs and exercising the heart.
Visit Federal Hill Massage and Wellness and The Healing Path in Baltimore for holiday massage specials and additional fatigue reducers.
Get a good night’s sleep
You’ll be able to accomplish a lot more.
Although sleep amounts vary according to age and each individual, the average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep in order to feel energized and rested, reports the National Sleep Foundation, in Washington, D.C.
Individuals should also keep a consistent schedule of waking and sleeping, including the weekends.
“Inconsistent sleep schedules will throw a person’s natural sleep rhythm off and create an emotional imbalance in the body, resulting in fatigue,” explains Columbia, MD naturopath, Dr. Adara L. Walton, founder of HeartBridge Wellness, LLC.
Take warm baths
At the end of a busy day taking a warm bath (not a shower) for 15-20 minutes, using your favorite scents, therapeutic salts and essential oils, such as lavender, will reduce tiredness and fatigue in the muscles.
“The herbs and flowers in these products have antispasmodic properties that produce a relaxing effect on your muscles, and relax the mind,”Walton says.
Get a massage
Make this a holiday treat to yourself. A licensed massage therapist will be able to loosen your body’s pressure points. Massage will increase circulation and increase mobility. It will also relieve pain and stress in the body by relaxing the nervous system, thereby reducing fatigue.
Laugh
Tis’ the season to be jolly! Laughter relaxes the entire body, uplifts the spirit, relieves stress, and relaxes the muscles. Helpguide.org states that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and promotes an overall sense of well-being. It can even temporarily relieve pain.
Relax the mind
Listen to soothing music, meditate, pray. Visualize beautiful scenes.
Exercise
Keep moving. Low-impact, high-impact, stretching, yoga, and pilates, and other forms of exercise will reduce fatigue by relaxing and toning the muscles, bringing additional oxygen to the lungs and exercising the heart.
Visit Federal Hill Massage and Wellness and The Healing Path in Baltimore for holiday massage specials and additional fatigue reducers.
