It’s Monday morning and you slept 8 hours but you feel weak and tired…

It’s just lunch time on Wednesday  but you feel like you’ve been working 48 hours non-stop…

You are at that event you’ve been looking forward to attending. This is the 5th time you’re yawning in 10 minutes…

Have you been resting well?

Fatigue is a human factor that could lead to accidents anywhere: road, work, home. A case point would be those truck drivers who move containers or flammable liquid sleeping off while on the wheels. They might have been driving for very long hours. Or the tired mum who sleeps off while there is some oil cooking in the kitchen. You can imagine the consequences. We cannot cheat nature and that is why our bodies find rest whether we choose to give it intentionally or not. Fatigued people can make poor safety choices and are a hazard to others.

So yes, I agree that you’ve got tonnes of stuff to do, deadlines to meet, families to take care of and glass ceilings to shatter but if you die or get grievously injured due fatigue, all would be lost. Therefore, here are some tips to combat fatigue:

Sleep well
Insufficient sleep is a leading cause of fatigue. Did you know that losing 2 hours of sleep is said to create impairment equal to consuming 3 beers? So, you now understand why you feel a certain way sometimes. Good sleep helps your body relax particularly your eyes. You need this to perform optimally the next day.

Rest
Most times, the days alloted for us to rest are days we cram other major activities into. Or the short moments within our day where we can actually stay away from draining activities, instead of resting, we add other activities. Off days should be used being off and free from work activities. You need rest.

Leisure activities
Fun activities help to take stress away because they cause us to smile and laugh. Happiness reduces the effects of fatigue. Therefore activities like reading novels, watching a good film, playing or watching football with the boys or even outdoor trips have a way of taking our mind off pressures of life. So, as much as possible, take out time from your busy schedule and indulge.

Exercise
Nothing like good exercise to reinvigorate you. If possible do this with a buddy and you’d not just get a fit body but a companion that encourages your progress. This is a great fatigue reliving method.

Eat right
Ensure you have the right amount of fruits  and vegetables in your diet always. A good diet ensures you’re not lacking any of the right vitamins.

Say no to fatigue. Say no to human error arising from fatigue. Keep keeping safe.