Food quality & fatigue
Sleep & physical activity
Do I exercise or just have a sleep? It is not uncommon for people experiencing fatigue to put this down to lack of sleep, when in actual fact there are underlying physical and/or functional fitness problems. Physical or functional problems may be related to poor physical fitness, poor strength, inflexibility, injury, illness or inappropriate functional……
Avoiding injury when exercising
Regardless of your exercise choice, one truth applies to everyone: preparation can prevent injury. Many common exercise injuries stem from overlooking two basics: warm-up and stretching. Warm-up: The idea of a warm-up is to swing your body into gear gradually – not suddenly. A good warm-up consists of slow, deliberate, rhythmic movements that are similar……
What is fatigue amnesia?
Have you ever driven into your driveway at home and on arrival thought to yourself, How did I get here? I cannot recall the trip home or the last part of the trip. You may have suffered from fatigue amnesia. Amnesia, in simple terms, is the loss of memory. Fatigue amnesia is where a person……
Is it possible to have too much sleep each night?
It is still largely unknown how many exact hours of sleep per day are needed in adults, according to their age, their environmental and socio-cultural characteristics. It is generally cited that 7-8 hours of sleep is sufficient for adults and there is ongoing research to identify what is the optimal sleep need. However, there is……
Meal type and fatigue
It is often promoted that foods high in carbohydrate make you drowsy because they increase the uptake of the amino acid tryptophan by the brain. Tryptophan is a chemical that can work together with another important brain chemical called serotonin, to help promote a calming effect and sleepiness. Foods rich in protein, however, increase production……
When should I sleep?
Our levels of alertness and attention are influenced by our circadian rhythms, as shown in the figure below. Circadian rhythms allow us to feel more alert during the day and less alert during the evening. This is the primary reason it is difficult to stay awake at night and why we may struggle to sleep……
Sleep Disorders
It is estimated that 6% of the population suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep disorders may make some health conditions worse such as, heartburn, depression, asthma and heart disease. Sleep disorders are diagnosed by a GP or sleep specialist. If you are experiencing poor sleep and have some of the following symptoms, you may want to……
I don’t have enough time to exercise?
I am too busy at work and my work hours are too long. Despite advances in technology, many of us still spend more – rather than less – time at work. However, there are ways in which you can be more active: Go for a walk in your lunch break – your afternoons will be……
Exercise and physical activity. How to finding the balance
Active living is a way of life in which physical activity and exercise are valued and integrated into daily life in a fun and enjoyable way. In other words, seeing physical activity as an opportunity not a chore. Remember being busy does not necessarily mean that you are active! Physical activity is any body movement……
Top tips for management mental health
Putting it all together Depression, anxiety and stress are major risk factors of fatigue. The good news is that they are all treatable conditions and many people overcome mood disorders through proactive management. However, there is no quick fix. Treatment of mood disorders often takes time and includes a combination of techniques to manage the……