Reversing Fatigue
From the book: "New Choices in Natural Healing"
Aromatherapy
Place a drop each of rosemary (or geranium) and basil essential oils on a tissue and inhale whenever you need a quick energy boost.
Preparing and Administering Essential Oils, Cautions & Purchasing
Ayurveda
To battle the fatigue that comes with or after illness, drink a mixture of almond milk and herbs once or twice a day, says Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. To make the mixture, soak ten almonds overnight in enough water to cover them. In the morning, peel off their skins, then put them in a blender with a cup of hot skim milk, a pinch each of ginger powder and cardamom and one teaspoon of date sugar (available in most health food stores). Blend and drink.
Hydrotherapy
The cold mitten friction rub is a classic hydrotherapy remedy for fatigue, lethargy or general weakness, according to Agatha Thrash, M.D., a medical pathologist and co-founder and co-director of Uchee Pines Institute, a natural healing center in Seale, Alabama. Dip a small towel or washcloth into cold (50° to 60°F) water, curl one hand into a fist and wrap the towel or washcloth around it. Use your fist to rub your other arm in a vigorous circular motion, beginning with the fingers and finishing at the shoulder. Dip the cloth in cold water again and repeat the step. Your skin should be pink. Dry your arm with a towel using the same vigorous circular movement, then repeat the process on your other arm and on your legs, feet, chest and abdomen. Dr. Thrash says to perform this rub once or twice every day until you’re free of fatigue, then use as needed.
Imagery
Imagine an energy machine suspended over your head. Give the machine any shape and color that suits you. This machine has a strong, thick wire that connects to the top of your head. You’ll find an on/off switch on the wire just before it enters your head. When you feel comfortable, turn on the switch and feel the energy flow into your head and down through your body, says Dennis Gersten, M.D., a San Diego psychiatrist and publisher of Atlantis, a bi-monthly imagery newsletter. He suggests practicing this imagery for five minutes twice a day.
Massage
A vigorous ten-minute whole-body massage can give you a quick burst of energy, says Vincent Iuppo, N.D., massage therapist, naturopathic physician and director of the Morris Institute of Natural Therapeutics, a holistic health education center in Denville, New Jersey. Obviously, you can’t reach every part of your body, but every little bit helps.
Start by lightly lubricating your hands with vegetable oil or massage oil. You can rub your legs and arms with the effleurage (page 570), tapotement (page 571) and vibration (page 571) strokes. Work from your feet to your hips. Then rub your abdomen and chest with gliding, circular strokes. Work each arm by running your hand vigorously from your wrist to your elbow, then from your elbow to your shoulder. Also take time to vigorously rub your shoulder and neck muscles.
Reflexology
Working the following reflex points on your feet may help give you a little extra zip, says St. Petersburg, Florida, reflexologist Dwight Byers, author of Better Health with Foot Reflexology: diaphragm, whole spine and adrenal, pituitary and thyroid gland.
To help you locate these points, consult the foot reflex chart.
Relaxation and Meditation
Meditation is quite invigorating and can sweep aside any feelings of fatigue, even if it’s practiced for just a few minutes a day, says Sundar Ramaswami, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the F. S. Dubois Community Mental Health Center in Stamford, Connecticut.
Begin meditating for 20 minutes twice a day, suggests Dr. Ramaswami. As you become more proficient and more aware of your body’s sensations, he says, you may find you can meditate less and still get the same effect.
Deep breathing and progressive relaxation can also recharge you.
Sound Therapy
Listening to upbeat music can be a great way to find some extra energy: Graceland by Paul Simon; big band music; Black Swan Pas De Deux by Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky; and Breezin’ by George Benson.
Avoid listening to too much pop and hard rock music, because it can make you more jittery than energized. Vary what you listen to, try classical music one day, pop the next day and jazz the third.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Minimize depleting kidney energy. (from traditional chinese medicine or ayurvedic medicine)
Minimize cold in foods and temperature.
Minimize staying up late and burning the candle at both ends.
Minimize overwork.
Minimize over-mental.
Minimize stress where you can, especially exposure to abusive
or upsetting people in your life.
Eliminate clutter, maintain simple and
clean environment as far as possible, the simpler the better.
Light exercise, walking, yoga stretches for short periods.
Sturdy athletic shoes with stiff heel boxes and stable arch supports give a sturdy and resilient foundation.
GEMSTONE ESSENCE CONSIDERATIONS
Amber: helps to ground and supply organizational endurance. Gives a realistic expectation of what can or can't be done so you don't give away yourself at your own expense.
Agate: protects the victim/codependent and stops the leaching of psychic energy by others.
Black tourmaline: stops the sucking of energy from you by another person or group. Powerful and protecting.
Red Garnet: gives a boost in energy when you are very tired and yet, need a little more 'oomph' to complete the given task.
FLOWER ESSENCE CONSIDERATIONS
Willow: the 'crutch' essence to help a person stand on their own two feet to express themselves.
Owls Clover: for those who are of a victim consciousness or codependent in behavior.
Yarrow (all colors): for those who cannot say "no" to a person, group, their family, etc. This instills strong, clear,healthy boundaries for the person who is a victim or codependent.
