The January 2008 edition of "Internal Medicine Journal" published an Australian study in which a reported 11.7 percent of participants suffered from chronic daytime sleepiness. Although the study notes that chronic sleepiness may be a result of short sleep durations, insomnia or depression, other factors may also impact energy levels. Work, family or social obligations, for instance, may also have a tiring effect on individuals with a busy lifestyle. Quite often, those individuals are likely to place nutrition last on their list of "things to do." Making health a priority will not only help to eliminate the fatigue, but it will also provide the necessary energy and time to nourish the body with healthy foods.
Step 1
Consult with your health care provider regarding your symptoms and possible treatment options. The fatigue may be a result of lifestyle, in which case minor tweaking may be necessary, or it may be an indicator of a more serious health condition.
Step 2
Establish an eating schedule. Allot a certain time for meals and snacks and stick with that schedule like you would a meeting. Campus Mind Words, a subsidiary of the University of Michigan, explains that a regular meal schedule will prevent hunger pangs and promote a good night's sleep. Furthermore, having a schedule in place will make you less likely to compromise your health when life gets busy.
Step 3
Prepare your food in advance. Some individuals get so discouraged about the amount of prep time required to create a nutritious meal that they end up skipping the meal altogether. Preparing the food in advance will ensure the ingredients can be assembled quickly in times of need. This may include cutting fruits in advance, laying out ingredients the night before or marinating meat overnight.
Step 4
Avoid ingesting processed foods that are high in saturated fats or sugar. Although convenient, junk food promotes tiredness. Vincent Bellonzi, D.C., C.C.N., of Austin Wellness Clinic, reports that junk food causes blood-glucose levels to fluctuate. The fluctuation results in fatigue and increased appetite. Bellonzi recommends healthier fare, such as vegetables, proteins and fruits. Fruits, especially, are also convenient and offer nutritional sustenance with fewer calories.
