Chronic fatigue is classified as prolonged periods of extreme exhaustion, emotional flatness, and difficulty concentrating or thinking. People often experience chronic fatigue after taking some time off from work, stress, or if they are not getting enough sleep. For many people, it can be difficult to find ways to combat chronic fatigue. What do you eat? How do you exercise? How do you cope with the struggles of everyday life with limited energy?
No one is immune to exhaustion, but there are some things that can help us feel more energized. Yoga is a popular choice with those who are looking for an alternative way to recharge their batteries. Yoga has long been known to be helpful in lowering stress levels and helping people control their emotions. Yoga has also been studied for its ability to improve mood and help people feel more energetic. This can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic fatigue like me. Read on to learn more about how yoga helped me feel better about my constant fatigue.
Why am I always tired and have no energy?
I’m always tired and low on energy because I apparently have “chronic fatigue syndrome”. Yeah, sounds pretty intense right? Well, the fact of the matter is that many people suffer from chronic fatigue both diagnosed and/or still undiagnosed, and it can truly be debilitating.
The symptoms for chronic fatigue syndrome vary, but the most common ones include :
• Sleep problems (insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Fatigue, exhaustion, or excessive low-energy
• Cognitive issues (forgetting things, difficulty concentrating)
• Muscle pain / weakness
• Orthostatic intolerance (sudden onset of lightheadedness or dizziness when you stand up)
It’s important to remember that everyone experiences the above symptoms to a certain degree, however chronic fatigue is all of that in abundance and excess. When I start my day, I immediately feel drained. It can take a lot out of me to just get through my day. I’ve tried different methods in the past to help improve my energy levels, like exercising and taking supplements. But I quickly learned that it’s not enough by itself. Yoga has helped me enormously and quite frankly without it I am lost. I’ve learned how to focus on myself more and it helps me deal with stress much better than I ever was able to. It focuses on the breath which makes it easier to regulate emotions and achieve states of peace during meditation.
How yoga helps with fatigue
Does yoga give you energy? In many ways, yes it does! Yoga is a wonderful way to improve mood, increase energy and reduce stress. It has been shown to help relieve chronic fatigue by releasing endorphins and giving people more energy. Yoga is also proven to help people center themselves in the present moment and be more mindful or aware of their thoughts. I feel that this is especially helpful for me because my chronic fatigue can sometimes make it difficult for me to stay focused on the task at hand. I also notice that yoga helps me by releasing tension in my body and at times I do find that it helps with pain management. I’ve found that doing relaxing poses like savasana helps with headaches, muscle aches, and back pain. Practice these poses regularly to see how they benefit you. Personally, I think incorporating yoga into your life will be beneficial in many ways whether you suffer from chronic fatigue or not.
Yoga and chronic fatigue: what do we know?
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests yoga can be beneficial for those suffering from chronic fatigue. One study suggests that three-times-a-week weekly yoga classes could help lower stress and improve mood in young adults with chronic fatigue. Other studies have found that yoga can improve mood, sleep, and aid in the recovery process for those with chronic fatigue. In addition to these benefits, there are also many other physical benefits such as improved breathing and reduced levels of stress hormones. The research on this topic is still ongoing, but it seems as though there are many possible benefits to be had by practicing yoga.
Why I can no longer live without Yoga
Yoga has helped me manage my chronic fatigue and anxiety. I am able to calm down, focus, and breathe with the poses. It helps me reduce my stress levels and balance out my emotions after a long day. Another thing I like about yoga is that it is accessible for people of all ages. There are many different levels of yoga that you can start with or gradually move into and this makes it a welcoming activity to do with people you care about. I also like the community feel of participating in a class, at a studio, doing your own practice and for others, going deeper and joining a yoga teacher training course for expanded knowledge and learning. Yoga provides an opportunity for people to come together to connect with one another in a mindful way. This form of relaxation creates an environment where people don’t just focus on their physical well-being but also on their mental state as well because they’re not being bombarded by other distractions while they’re practicing yoga. For all that was just mentioned and for many other reasons, especially the positive effects it has had on managing my fatigue, yoga has become an integral part of my life and I can no longer live without it.
In What Way Does Yoga Give Me Energy?
One of the very first things I noticed after starting to do yoga was that I felt more energetic. Now, this is a subjective experience, but I believe it’s an objective one as well. Of course directly after an intensive strengthening session, you may feel physically tired, but the overall effect it has on our energy systems is in my opinion absolutely incredible. Yoga helps me feel more energized in many ways:
- I sleep better at night
- I am able to focus on tasks for longer periods of time
- I have more natural physical energy throughout the day
- My anxiety levels are lower
- I don’t get as angry or as often
As a result, the fatigue that usually creeps into my life and attaches itself to everything, no longer follows me around. My mind and body seem to have found new ways to cope with the overwhelming amount of frustrations that life can sometimes cause. I find myself making my way through almost every day unscathed and feeling rather fresh!
Conclusion
Yoga is a great way to increase your energy levels and improve your overall health. Yoga can also be a helpful tool for those suffering from chronic fatigue. I have truly found that it helps me to overcome my chronic fatigue and highly recommend trying yoga if you find yourself suffering from this awful illness. I am so grateful to have had yoga introduced into my life and if this article did anything, I hope it gave you the push to try out a few yoga classes and tackle your fatigue.
