FEATURE
Fight Fatigue with Healthy Habits Exercise and good sleep hygiene support energy levels. WRITTEN BY MELISSA BEAN STERZICK
Understanding the causes of fatigue can help you combat it. Knowledge is power, and recognizing the symptoms related to fatigue along with adapting some healthier lifestyle choices can help you overcome it.
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n occasional night of poor sleep, a day of feeling fatigued or an afternoon drop in energy are all common experiences for seniors. Fatigue is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent health issue. Feeling fatigued can become a vicious cycle, affecting your physical and mental health. Moe Gelbart, PhD, director of
behavioral health at Torrance Memorial, says energy and mood go hand in hand. “Your mood affects fatigue. If someone is depressed and sad, or down and anxious, one of the symptoms is fatigue. If someone is feeling serious fatigue, it will cause them to feel depressed,” he says. See your primary care physician and do what you can to address the cycle of
6 ADVANTAGE / Torrance Memorial, a Cedars-Sinai Affiliate
poor mood and low energy. “Avoid the misuse of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and the overuse of prescription drugs. Get help if you’re feeling depressed,” Dr. Gelbart says. “Fatigue for a 55-and-up individual can be caused by several things including medical problems and insomnia. Insomnia is a significant factor for the elderly, and it causes fatigue.”
