It’s a new year and you can’t seem to get motivated to get up and make good on any goals or resolutions you set for yourself.  You may be suffering from fatigue, which is usually a sign of a larger problem.

Fatigue Is So Typical These Days

With all the hustle and bustle of modern life, it is important to be aware that there are a lot of people who suffer from fatigue.  Things seem to move at warp speed these days, especially with technology abounding. What this tends to create in people is the opposite effect.  You can wind up so tired for apparently no reason at all, almost as a reaction to the hyper-speed that the rest of the world seems to run at. This can, in turn, cause people to become depressed or be caused by depression at feeling out of step with the rest of society.

What To Do To Counter Fatigue in Your Life

1. Use Opposite Action:  What this means is that whatever you would do if the fatigue went on uninterrupted, do the opposite of that.  For example, if you hear voices in your head telling you to stay in bed, try to do the opposite.

2. Check With Your Doctor:  Just in case there is some physical basis for the fatigue, it will be important to get the input of your doctor to help be sure there isn’t something physically wrong with you that’s causing the fatigue.

3. Force Yourself to Do Things (at least at first): I can’t emphasize this enough.  It may be very difficult at first, but like the old Nike slogan says ‘Just Do It’ you need to get yourself over the hump and take the first steps by force.

4. Decrease or Eliminate Use of Substances:  If you have some sort of substance use issues or disorder, you may be unwittingly contributing to your fatigue by continuing to use them at the current levels.  If any of these are depressants, they are very likely to make things worse or cause you to be depressed.

5. Start and Commit to Getting Regular Exercise:  Energy begets energy, as fitness guru Gary Null once said.  If you put out some energy in getting some regular exercise each day, you will be repaid with more energy.  Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day is optimal for your mood.

If You Need Help Getting Started

I have helped well over a hundred people overcome fatigue and the depression that can be related to it in my almost 10 year career as a social worker, and can personally attest to the benefits of doing all of the above to improve mental and physical health.  If you think you may have depression related to all this, you are welcome to call me at 512-648-3053 for a free 15 minute phone consult to get a better idea of how I might be able to help you to have more energy and a better mood.  You can also leave your contact information in the space below if that is easier for you. You owe it to yourself get the support you need to improve your energy level and your life!

About the author:  Scott Kampschaefer, LCSW is a private practice therapist in Frederick, Maryland.  He has an extensive background in working with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder at a clinic for older adults with these disorders in Austin.  He now works with adults and adolescents 14 and up in private practice.

Visit our page on depression therapy to learn more about how Scott can help you with fatigue and depression.