3 Solutions for Restlessness and Fatigue

Restlessness and fatigue go hand-in-hand. When you can’t seem to “turn off” your mind it’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed almost every second of the day. Unfortunately, that will often leave you feeling exhausted and burnt out, too. One of the best solutions for dealing with restlessness is to determine what’s causing it. Understanding the root cause of your restless mind can make it easier to get it under control.

But, there are also everyday things you can do to fight back against both restlessness and fatigue. By putting these strategies in place, you can calm your active mind, get the rest your mind and body needs, and start to feel less overwhelmed. Let’s look at three solutions for restlessness and fatigue you can use right now.

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

To calm a restless mind (as well as your tired body), focus on things like deep breathing and clearing your head. Mindfulness and meditation are both great options for that. Mindfulness has become something of a buzzword in recent years. But, the popularity behind it is warranted. It’s an effective tool for reducing stress and anxiety, and can help you manage your restlessness.

Take a few minutes each day to close your eyes and focus solely on your breathing and the world around you in that present moment. What sounds do you hear? What do you smell? How does your body feel? Thoughts will continue to come, even as you’re meditating or trying to stay focused. The key is to let them pass by. Think of them as clouds overhead that you can’t hold onto.

2. Get Some Exercise

When you’re already fatigued, exercise can feel like the last thing you want to do. But, it can help in a variety of ways.

First, it can actually give you an energy boost when you need it most. Exercise is a great way to get a “pick-me-up” instead of reaching for a cup of coffee or energy drink. It’s also a natural endorphin booster. Exercising can improve your mood and keep your restless thoughts at bay.

As a bonus, regular exercise will tire you out! While that might not seem like a good thing when you’re already fatigued, it can wear out your body to the point of getting a better night’s rest. You’re less likely to toss and turn all night when you’re physically exhausted from working out. That can kick off a positive cycle of getting better sleep and feeling less fatigued each day.

3. Change Your Sleep Habits

Sleep hygiene is incredibly important, and most people don’t give it the attention it deserves. Getting more sleep might sound like an obvious solution to fighting fatigue, but it can feel easier said than done. You may need to change your habits and improve your sleep hygiene.

Everyone’s circadian rhythms are slightly different. You need to find what works best for you to get the most restful night’s sleep. That might include going to bed an hour earlier each night or changing your nightly routine to calm both your mind and body before you go to sleep.

Set a routine that works for you and make adjustments as necessary. Determine when you feel the least fatigued and restless (ie; are you more of a morning person or night-owl?) and set your sleep schedule around that. For example, if you’re a night owl, maybe you can stay up a bit later but sleep an hour longer in the morning.

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If you’re still fighting restlessness and fatigue, it’s important to rule out any physical or mental health conditions. Consider talking to your doctor or a mental health professional for more help.