Feeling tired after physical effort or after a lack of sleep is perfectly normal. However, when fatigue and energy slumps become recurrent, they drain our energy – both physical and mental –, disrupt our days and weigh heavily on our productivity.
We all feel fatigue (and fairly regularly!). But is it normal to feel tired often? When should we start to worry? When does fatigue become abnormal?
Recharging your batteries is possible, and it doesn't just mean sleeping! Chinese medicine gives you the tools to get back on form.
The causes of fatigue
Many factors can influence our everyday energy. Asthenia, commonly called fatigue, is a frequent symptom of lack of rest. It can also appear following particular events, for example after an infectious disease.
This is the case for many people who have had the COVID-19 virus. Indeed, many have reported feeling persistent fatigue for about 5 weeks after being infected. Fatigue is therefore a more topical issue than ever!
“The tiger, too, needs sleep. ” Chinese proverb
Naturally, sleep disorders are a main cause of fatigue: we will inevitably feel tired when our sleep is not restorative. As the saying goes, “rest is the secret of all work well done”, so it is necessary to give the body the rest it needs!What is more, 7 out of 10 employees say their work is mentally exhausting. 1 The feeling of intense fatigue can therefore also stem from work overload, stress, constant pressure or problems at work. Indeed, periods of stress are a major cause of fatigue. They rob us of all peace of mind and lead to a restlessness that very often cruelly disrupts sleep.
In addition, other factors can cause a drop in energy, such as: taking certain medicines like antidepressants, stopping smoking (which could be a risk factor for relapse), or excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
Moreover, it is not unusual to feel tired after enjoying an overly large meal. This fatigue is due to the digestive process: turning food into nutrients demands a lot of energy from our body. This is also why it can be hard to get back to work after the lunch break!
Abnormal fatigue
So several factors can explain why we feel tired or exhausted. But as soon as fatigue persists despite sufficient rest, it is considered abnormal and a sign of an underlying illness (such as chronic fatigue, for example) or a more serious problem. It is therefore recommended to consult a health professional if:
- You have been feeling extreme fatigue for several months
- You feel weak at the slightest effort
- Sleep does not relieve the feeling of exhaustion
- You feel the effects of this fatigue on your cognitive functions
Traditional Chinese medicine to regain energy
Fatigue: an energy imbalance?
Chinese energetics considers fatigue to be a sign of an imbalance in Qi (vital Energy).
Indeed, when Qi slows down in one part of the body, it may build up there and create a blockage or an energy imbalance between the different parts of the body. Likewise, when it speeds up excessively, it can also create disharmony.
What causes fatigue? Well, several things: there are external factors, mainly the pathogenic energies (such as Heat, Wind or Summer Heat) that can disturb the body, and internal factors, such as lack of rest or emotional instability…
Types of fatigue in traditional Chinese medicine
TCM considers that there are three types of fatigue:
Emotional fatigue: when our emotions drain our energy
This is the fatigue felt following emotional disturbances. It appears when an emotion is experienced very intensely and affects the organ linked to that emotion. For example, excessive joy damages the Heart and excessive fear weakens the Kidneys.
This type of fatigue is generally accompanied by a number of symptoms such as dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Changes of season and exertion can make this type of fatigue even harder to live with.
Digestive fatigue, very common but little known
As we have already mentioned, eating too much can cause sudden fatigue. Digestive fatigue is far from rare; in fact, it is one of the most common!
It is explained by the presence of Dampness in the body due to an overly rich diet. This type of fatigue shows up as a feeling of heaviness, of being “too full”, generally accompanied by bloating. Digestive fatigue makes the smallest task unbearable and invites only one thing: a nap!
Post-infection fatigue: the case of Covid-19
As for post-infection fatigue, as its name suggests, it appears after an infection, as in the case of Covid-19. The result of a deficiency of Yang, it shows up as memory loss and frequent sleep disorders. It leads to a feeling of extreme exhaustion, both physical and mental.
What does Chinese medicine advise for fatigue?
In general, a few habits can be adopted to preserve your energy and avoid fatigue. On the diet side, it is strongly advised to avoid rich and sugary meals and to opt for a light diet.
Fans of acupuncture sessions will tell you: it is an effective solution for boosting energy! Acupuncture stimulates and harmonises the flow of energy. It is therefore an excellent way to get back on form after a bout of severe fatigue.
More specifically, TCM recommends:
For emotional fatigue:
- Learning to free yourself from excessive emotions, which are harmful to the body
- Practising meditation to combat emotional fatigue
- Favouring foods with a sweet flavour, such as wheat, spinach and aubergines
- From the Chinese pharmacopoeia: Huang Qi (Sheng) – Astragalus is recommended to put an end to emotional fatigue. A flagship plant of the Chinese pharmacopoeia, it tonifies Qi and helps you get back on form
For digestive fatigue:
- Qi Gong sessions to get back on form. Try the “Sweeping the rainbow” movement to aid digestion and strengthen the stomach
- Eat light! Chinese dietetics recommends foods of a neutral and warm nature and a sweet flavour, such as quinoa, apricots and prawns
Finally, for post-infection fatigue:
- Favour dishes cooked with fire and water, and cook food very slowly in water over a low heat
- Prefer foods of a warm nature and a sweet flavour, notably lentils, ginger and goji berries
- From the pharmacopoeia: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is recommended, as it tonifies Qi and strengthens Yang.
Often underestimated because we all experience it fairly regularly, fatigue is a symptom that must nevertheless be taken seriously.
Fatigue threatens our well-being and can sometimes lead to serious health problems when our need for rest is neglected. Turn to natural solutions to recharge your batteries, and take care of your energy by living a balanced life!
