How To Get Rid Of Lethargy?

Lethargy is an interesting condition. It’s not the same as being tired, because people who are tired often continue to start tasks and function fairly well. Lethargy, on the other hand, involves being tired or weary, with a general lack of energy. But there may be a mental factor involved in lethargy that isn’t present when we are just physically tired.

More severe cases of lethargy may involve changes in eating habits, real problems with starting and continuing minor tasks and pain in the muscles or joints that isn’t common when we’re just tired. Some people find that they have difficulty getting to sleep, even when they are extremely lethargic.

The Causes
At the risk of repeating information, we can become tired from physical work or just from staying awake too long. Lethargy, however, can be caused by more troubling conditions such as allergies, anemia, clinical depression, insomnia or apnea.

We can get rid of lethargy by preventing it. If we develop regular sleep habits, exercise daily and maintain a consistent work schedule we can go a long way toward preventing this condition. Add good nutrition and vitamin supplements to a reduction in alcohol intake and we can take yet another step toward getting rid of lethargy.

Because this malady has a strong mental/emotional element it is also important for individuals to relax and allow time for personal interests. If there are situations in life that are particularly stressful or draining emotionally we need to deal with these directly and immediately. A general feeling of being “down” because of a relationship problem, difficulty at work or financial concerns will often lead to lethargy. People who are truly lethargic sometimes express the feeling that they “don’t care anymore.”

Things to Do
Some people find that drinking a nice cup of tea, allowing plenty of sit-down time to do it, will actually pick them up and get them going again. It has been suggested that tea made from basil leaves is a top choice for this simple step. It’s possible to give yourself a pit of a “pick up” with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This home remedy might take a day or two to produce results but it can also have immediate effects for some.

Some people can’t get past the strong taste of grapefruit but this fruit is well-known to be a remedy for lethargy. Lime juice may have the same effect. You should also avoid foods with high sugar content. These foods may seem to pick you up right away but there is an inevitable crash from consuming too much sugar.

Finally, we may need to make some changes in our exercise habits and daily schedule. Start the day with some of the nutrition suggestions mentioned above then take a walk or do some mild stretching exercises (even if you don’t feel like it at first). Sometimes we just have to get up and go when we feel down and out.

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