How to Get Rid of Exhaustion

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Exhaustion means more than an occasional yawn at work. If you constantly feel fatigued, there may be aspects of your life -- your diet, stress levels and lack of exercise -- that are contributing to your exhaustion levels. To fight fatigue, you must make time for yourself, putting your health and well-being first.

Drink plenty of water each day. Fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. Start each day with a large glass of water and continue drinking water steadily throughout the day -- don’t wait until you feel thirsty, which can indicate you already are dehydrated.

Increase your intake of healthy foods -- fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Refraining from eating foods that contain sugar, caffeine and added chemicals can make you feel more energetic and help prevent that midday crash.

Add a protein source to each of your meals and snacks. Add an egg to breakfast, eat a handful of unsalted nuts, add grilled chicken to your salad or snack on low-fat yogurt.

Meditate to relieve stress. Find a place that is calm and soothing -- the bathtub, your bedroom or a peaceful view. Breathe deeply for 10 minutes, picturing a serene place or listening to calming music. If you are having trouble focusing, choose a mantra or saying that you can repeat.

Take a walk. Walking for 15 to 30 minutes can get your blood flowing and increase oxygen to your tissues. If you are short on time for a walk, perform push-ups or squats for one to two minutes at a time. At the very least, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park your car further away from the building.

Increase the amount of lighting in your home and/or office. A poorly lit area can signal the brain that it is night, and your body should be winding down. Signal the body that it is time to perk up with more lighting -- blue especially tends to signal to the body that it is time to increase energy levels, according to CNN Health.

Turn off your technology. Repeated cell phone calls, e-mail beeps or 24-hour news can increase your stress and cause your work life to spill into your home life, according to CNN Health. Taking a day -- or at least an hour -- during which you are free from these bells and whistles can re-energize you.

Go to sleep at the same time each night in a darkened room, with the proper temperature and the appropriate amount of silence. A white noise machine, fan or soft music can help you experience better sleep, according to CNN Health.