10 Ways to Combat Fatigue

Fatigue can set in anytime for any working parent—but it’s especially prominent during the holidays. It’s funny, isn’t it? When we’re children we’re so pumped about the holidays that we don’t realize how worn out our parents are—and it’s from making the holidays so special for us to begin with! (Thanks, Mom and Dad.)

To stop fatigue from setting in—or to recover from it—try one of these tips.

Sleep! So many of us neglect this one simple need. Is it really too much to ask to give your body the seven to eight hours of rest it needs each night?

Enlist your kids for help. Maybe some of their holiday cheer will rub off on you. Sometimes all it takes for me to wake up is to dance with my daughter (and her toys; the other way, Stella Stingray and I got quite a groove on to Beyonce).

Stay hydrated. Not getting enough water can make you sleepy, fatigued, achy, and definitely crabby. Keep a glass of ice water around you all day and just continue to sip and refill, keeping yourself hydrated all day long.

Take a breather. Holidays are the most important times to maintain your special me time. Get a sitter if you need one and just veg out for the evening. De-stress in the tub, in bed, in nature—wherever it takes. Get a mani pedi if you need to. Just get away and get refreshed.

Eat well. A few holiday treats are fine, but keeping a balanced diet not only keeps you healthy—it also keeps you alert and awake.

Get plenty of vitamins. Hopefully you’re getting these through your nutritious diet, but you may want to consult with your doctor to see if you have a deficiency that needs to be remedied by a supplement.

Cut back. Can someone else bake the goodies for the evening with Santa at school—or even half of the goodies? Do you really need to send a Christmas card to your mother’s best friend’s aunt whom you haven’t seen since you were six—and who doesn’t even acknowledge your existence today?

Work out. Thirty minutes of exercise a day keeps your ticker in shape and keeps YOU active, aware, and happy.

Lay off the spiked eggnog. That goes for all alcoholic drinks. Avoid drinking too much and too often to keep fatigue at bay. The same goes for caffeine, believe it or not.

If all else fails, see a doctor. Chronic fatigue can be a symptom of a serious condition, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Wouldn’t you rather get help and be happier and a better parent than continue to suffer out of embarrassment?