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Men weary as much of not
doing the things they want to do as of doing the things they do not want to do.
Eric Hoffer
Fatigue occurs when we push ourselves beyond our ability to
function effectively. By refreshing ourselves in the following ways, we maintain
vitality for longer periods and we recharge more quickly.
Techniques for avoiding fatigue.
 | Get more sleep. Most of us need more sleep than we get, and we pay
for that lapse with fatigue. We would also benefit from an afternoon siesta. A
half hour nap gives us more vitality than the equivalent 30 minutes of nighttime
sleep. If we ignore the signals that we need sleep, we enter the state of
fatigue with its physical sluggishness, mental dullness, lack of productivity,
and longer recovery time. |
| Get more exercise. Moderate exercise doesn't exhaust us. It burns off
tension and generates usable energy. |
| Cultivate positive emotions. While not denying and repressing the so
called negative emotions, we can cultivate feelings of happiness, cheerfulness,
and enthusiasm, that enliven us and encourage us to reach out to savor more of
life. Contrarily, we lose vitality when we dwell on worrying, resentment, and
similar emotions. |
| Cultivate a constructive mental attitude. We charge ourselves naturally
when we are optimistic and confident. Since boredom descends into sleepiness, we
strive to create an interesting life, letting our feelings and values guide us
toward the activities that fascinate us and keep us stimulated. |
| Spend time with energetic people. Some people stimulate us with their
vivaciousness, and conversely, we attract that type of person by showing a zest
of our own. We must be aware of the other category of people, those who leave us
feeling drained. |
| Have a nutritional diet. A nutritional diet makes us more alert and
productive. A moderate diet in general makes us livelier because we are burning
up less energy in the digestive process, especially if we choose foods that are
easier to digest. Sugar seems to give us energy, but there is a backlash. The
pancreas releases insulin to counteract the sugar, so our blood sugar soon
decreases to a level that was lower than before, and we feel more tired. |
| Have recreation. We feel invigorated when we laugh, pursue a hobby, play
sports, walk in the woods, indulge in creativity, pleasure, and passion. Any
activity that engages the right hemisphere of the brain generates energy for us. |
Fatigue makes cowards of
us all.
Vince Lombardi
Next topic: Guilt |
