Feeling tired on a regular basis is extremely common. I often get this question from my clients. They say they’re always tired. What can they do? This article has an answer for all your worries about common fatigue.

Fatigue means you feel over-tired or exhausted. When you’re fatigued, there is consistent low energy levels that might interfere with your day to day activities.

The fact is nearly everyone is overtired or overworked from time to time. These are instances of temporary fatigue mostly due to improper sleep, unhealthy or irregular food patterns or work pressure.

On the other hand, if you’re always tired and it isn’t relieved with rest it can impact your psychological and emotional well being.

Ayurveda generally considers fatigue and tiredness a symptom of increased Kapha Dosha. Physical fatigue will most likely be caused by an imbalance in Kapha Dosha. While with mental fatigue, Vata dosha would be the culprit. When it comes to emotional fatigue it can be due to an imbalance in Pitta Dosha.

Here are ten tips for increasing energy and reducing tiredness.

  1. Determine your body constitution and eat accordingly.
  2. Reduce tea and coffee consumption before bedtime hours. Instead, have a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of turmeric. If you have lactose intolerance, substitute cow’s milk with almond or soy.
  3. Go to bed early and remember to take a bath in warm water before bed.
  4. Practice sun salutations daily.
  5. Stop skipping meals. Eat three times a day, lunch being the largest meal of the day. Have dinner before 8pm. Ideally there should be a two hour gap between dinner and sleep.
  6. Do oil massage daily before your bath or shower. If you can’t do it daily, do it at least twice a week. Use sesame oil which helps in muscle relaxation and avoids muscle fatigue.
  7. Avoid excessive sugar and remember to reduce or minimize coffee, soda, caffeinated teas, and sleeping pills to allow your body to reestablish a natural rest and activity cycle.
  8. Give time for yourself. Your work, tensions and stress can wait. Schedule enough time to rest each day. Listen to soothing music and light a scented candle in your bedroom. Use aromatic oil in your bathing water or dispense in a diffuser. Love and pamper yourself. No one else can do that better.
  9. Traditional Ayurveda herbs like Ashwagandha and chyawanprash will definitely help to give you an internal energy boost and stimulation.
  10. Yoga and breathing exercises (Pranayama) can also be beneficial.