Tracy Gaudet, M.D., Offers a New Mind-Body Approach for Fighting Fatigue
Life is a matter of balance — a connection between supply and demand. At a very basic level, we feel tired when the scales tilt toward the "demand" side.
Dr. Tracy Gaudet offers some unique tips for identifying and treating fatigue below. If you would like to arrange an interview or reprint the tips, please contact Emily Coghlan at 202.778.1025 or at ecoghlan@apcoworldwide.com.
 |
|
Tracy Gaudet, M.D., is an Ob/Gyn and the director of the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. She's the author of Body, Soul and Baby and writes a regular column on women's health for Body+Soul magazine. |
Recover from fatigue by tuning in to five essential parts of yourself. Use a journal to assess each on a regular basis and make changes accordingly.
|
|
MOVEMENT
Ask yourself: Do I have a workout routine? When's the last time I did something physical that brought me joy?
Why: Without regular exercise, you miss the opportunity to release stress, gain energy, and invigorate your soul.
Take action: Schedule exercise for the same time every day so your body expects and looks forward to it. |
|
|
|
NUTRITION
Ask yourself: What's my relationship with food? When I'm tired, do I reach for "quick energy," such as sugar, caffeine, or potato chips?
Why: "Quick fix" foods start us on a dangerous cycle, allowing us to keep going after our bodies have said, "Enough!"
Take action: Choose foods that help you sustain energy. Exchange coffee for green tea, refined grains for whole, and chips and dip for carrots and hummus. |
|
|
|
MIND
Ask yourself: What is my level of internal stress? Am I generally relaxed and happy, or tense and sad?
Why: While life events often affect our behavior, sometimes the way our mind functions is unrelated to our surroundings. Responding to situations while chronically stressed will tucker you out.
Take action: Center yourself by closing your eyes and breathing. Schedule 20 minutes every day to "unplug" from the world. |
|
|
|
SENSUALITY
Ask yourself: Do I feel connected to my body? Do I notice textures, scents, and tastes?
Why: Senses are essential for physical and spiritual survival. Ignoring them creates a primal void that hurts us spiritually.
Take action: Surround youself with stimuli that make you happy. Do you love the smell of lavender oil? Dab some on your neck. |
|
|
|
SPIRIT
Ask yourself: Do I feel connected to things bigger than myself? Am I blessed with work that feels meaningful?
Why: Lives that provide purpose and inspiration can be tremendously invigorating.
Take action: Replenish the connections in your life that fill you with a sense of purpose. Grab a camera and go for a hike, snapping photos of your favorite flowers along the way. Spend a day with a childhood friend. Whether you find inspiration in a church or temple or a star-filled sky, make time for it. |
|
These tips were originally published in the March 2007 issue of Body+Soul, a magazine that provides how-to information and inspiration for healthy living. Read the full article »
Reprints must be accompanied by the following:
Excerpted from the March 2007 issue of Body+Soul magazine. Copyright 2007 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Reprinted by permission.
|
|
