7 NATURAL WAYS TO FIGHT FATIGUE AND FEED YOUR SOUL

When you’re anxious or depressed, it can feel next to impossible to fight mental fatigue and summon the energy to function for the day. So above all else, be kind and patient with yourself.

When you’re lacking energy, for whatever reason, it’s your body trying to tell you something. There are physical reasons like the need for better nutrition and more/better sleep… and then there are emotional reasons, which can vary greatly.

Maybe it’s feeling like you have too much to do, there’s too much that has happened, and you’re feeling fried from being pulled in a million directions. Maybe it’s just unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Maybe it’s feeling stuck living out of alignment with your passions and your soul.

Whatever the reason, there are some natural ways you can help yourself get back into a natural balance. Here are eight places to start:

#1 Gentle Exercise

I know. This might feel like the last thing you want to do, so be gentle with yourself. Even a tiny bit of movement each day can make a big difference. This can be some light, relaxing yoga or a meditative walk. Maybe take your dogs to the park or walk with a friend. There’s no need to overdo it — just focus on little things that can get you moving.

#2 Breathe

Deep breathing can have a powerful impact on your mental health. Dr. Weil’s 4-7-8 breathing is supposed to be great for anxiety because it takes your focus off your anxiousness and focuses on the breath. Plus, it gives you permission to pause for a moment and take some rejuvenating fresh breaths.

#3 Have Some Energizing Snacks

It’s tempting to reach for processed carbs like bread, chips, and pretzels when you’re feeling low in energy, but these can backfire on you with bigger blood sugar crashes soon after eating them. Thankfully there are a ton of healthy snack options that are great for energy. Try some nuts or seeds, shelled edamame, or my personal favorites, blueberries, hummus and baby cucumbers, clementines, and cut melon (any kind of melon!). Such snacks give you filling fiber and longer-lasting energy. And you can eat these often to keep your energy up throughout the day without worrying about your waistline.

#4 Stay Hydrated

Drinking water isn’t just for those doing exercise. Dehydration is really common and can increase fatigue and decrease concentration and alertness. So be sure to keep a bottle of water nearby and drink throughout the day — especially if you drink coffee or consume other foods or drinks with caffeine. One of my favorite habits is waking up, and drinking a good cup or two of freshly squeezed lemon water–it’s amazingly quenching especially before morning exercise.

#5 Use Essential Oils

Try lemon, orange, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils. Just add them to a diffuser, sniff from the bottle, or even apply some of your skin to breathe in the energizing scents. My favorite is eucalyptus for its full, soothing vapor.

#6 Do Joyful Things

What activities can you do for yourself that brings joy? Maybe it’s reading a great book, watching a funny movie, enjoying a warm cup of tea on your porch, snuggling up with a pet, or having a low-key meet-up with a dear friend. Do some things that make you happy and take your mind off how you’re feeling.

#7 Practice Positivity

There is a lot of power in positive thinking. It might seem hard at first but set an intention to wake up with a positive mindset each morning. Write down your strengths and write down your blessings. Keep the list nearby so you can remember the positives in your life, even if there are more negatives than you’d like. You might be surprised just how much of a difference it can make on your heart, soul, and energy levels.