Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Learning how to manage fatigue can help you improve your level of functioning and your quality of life despite your symptoms. You may work with a rehabilitation medicine specialist who can teach you how to plan activities to take advantage of times when you usually feel better.

These important self-care steps can help you to maintain good general health:

  • Reduce stress. Develop a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress. Allow yourself time each day to relax. That may mean learning how to say no without guilt.
  • Get enough sleep. Getting sufficient sleep is essential. In addition to allotting enough time for sleep, practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and limiting daytime napping.
  • Exercise regularly. You may need to start slowly and build up gradually. But exercising regularly often improves symptoms. Many people find exercises such as walking, swimming, biking and water aerobics to be helpful. A physical therapist may help you develop a home-exercise program. Stretching, good posture and relaxation exercises also can be helpful.
  • Pace yourself. Keep your activity on an even level. If you do too much on your good days, you may have more bad days.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, limit your caffeine intake, stop smoking, get adequate rest, and exercise regularly. Find a hobby or career that's enjoyable and fulfilling for you.
Alternative medicine Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Bennett RM. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133386890-3/833235176/1492/1050.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50300-1_13277. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  2. Engleberg CN. Chronic fatigue syndrome. In: Mandell, GL, et al. Mandell, Bennett, & Dolin: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133386890-5/833235546/1259/1004.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50130-6_4604. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  3. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfssymptomsHCP.htm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  4. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Possible causes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfscauses.htm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  5. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Who's at risk. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsatrisk.htm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  6. Marshall GS, et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome.. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Long: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133386890-6/0/1679/204.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50203-4--chapter1. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  7. Gluckman SJ. Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  8. Teitelbaum J. Chronic fatigue syndrome. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133386890-7/833236431/1494/94.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50051-X_2429. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  9. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Treatment options. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfstreatmentHCP.htm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  10. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Support groups. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfssupport.htm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  11. Patel G, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for noncancer pain. Medical Clinics of North America. 2007;91:141.

DS00395

June 19, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger