Although there are medications to help with fatigue, there are small, easy adjustments that you can make to help! Here are 5 ways to help you manage the infamous symptom that 90% of us MSers go through.
Exercise – I know you’re probably thinking, “if I’m feeling fatigued, how am I supposed to exercise?” Trust me, it does work. The first day will be hard. So will the second day. So will the first week. Besides having sore muscles, you’ll still have the fatigue. But after that first week of exercising, you WILL feel a difference. I promise. And when I say exercise I don’t mean going to the gym to run for 2 hours and lift weights for another hour. No, unless you can handle that – props to you! What I’m talking about is an easy and light, 30 minute exercise routine. I was super lucky to receive this amazing workout dvd from Ivy Larson at Clean Cuisine who also happens to have MS. Another exercising option is enrolling yourself in an aqua-fit. It’s fun, efficient and it really helps with keeping the body cool.
Stay Cool – We all know that our bodies are very sensitive to heat. When our body temperature rises, it can leave us experiencing many symptoms. I hate the fact that I can’t enjoy hot baths anymore but I’d rather not feel dizzy, weak or as if I’m about to pass out as a result from fatigue. Instead I use luke warm water. I love the beach or hanging out by the pool but I know if I get too hot, I can cool off by jumping in the water. Some other ways I keep cool is by using air conditioning when it’s needed or drinking a nice cold beverage with extra ice. I’ve heard of other MSers wearing a cooling vest as well, especially in the summer.
Regulate Sleeping Patterns – Sleeping issues are often the culprit which causes fatigue. MSers always find having a ‘good nights sleep’ is impossible. We experience insomnia, we’re awaken in the middle of the night due to numbness, pain or the urge to go to the washroom. Talk to your doctor if you have persistent insomnia or urinary dysfunction. Hopefully they can give you medications to help that. Besides that, create a sleeping routine for yourself. Make sure you get AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep every single night. If you have to wake up at 8, you better be asleep by 12!
Drink More Water – Dehydration zaps energy, decreases alertness and concentration and has a huge impact on physical performance. If your car runs out of gas, is it going to move? Our bodies are made up of two-third of water. Since we are comprised of so much fluid, even slight dehydration can leave us fatigued. Drink about 8-10 glasses of water everyday. Add a couple slices of lemon to add a extra hydrating and healthy flavour!
Get Outside – Whether it’s winter or summer, dress appropriately and step outside. Even just 10 minutes outside during your lunch break and breathing in some fresh air can boost your energy levels. As MSers, our bodies need and thrives on sunlight, so being stuck inside is only going to bring on feelings of tiredness. So go outside, take deep breaths of fresh air and suck in those UV rays!
Almost everyone with Multiple Sclerosis has to deal with fatigue at some point. But hopefully these tips can help you manage the severity and length of the fatigue you experience. Try them out and let me know how it goes. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and share to help MSers!
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