By 2030, chronic diseases are expected to account for three out of every five deaths in the Western world. Conditions like heart disease, dementia, lung disorders, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers fall into this category.
The good news? Many of these illnesses are preventable—and sometimes even reversible. Often, the body sends early warning signs long before a diagnosis, offering a chance to take action and change course.
Fatigue can be a challenge that throws you off course in your endeavours. Do you battle fatigue or acknowledge it and collapse in a heap?
Darcy suffers from sarcoidosis and ankylosing spondylitis. Here are his Top 5 Tips for managing fatigue:
Pace, don’t race
Take your day one step at a time and build in micro-breaks before you get tired.
Prioritise
Anyone who knows Darcy will have heard of his famous (and sometimes frustrating) Tier System. If he has Tier One tasks underway and someone (like me) with a Tier 2 need rings him, he is unlikely to pick up—it’s not personal!
Practice cathartic everyday movements
Make everyday tasks, like cooking, cathartic. Live in the moment and be intentional about your movements. You will find this more restful than doom-scrolling or plonking yourself in front of a TV.
Fuel like you are a Formula One car
Fuel up with whole fruit, vegetables and protein and avoid simple carbohydrates like white bread and sugar.
Build muscle to drive your metabolism
Find ways to incorporate resistance training into your day. This can be gentle wall push-ups or squats (using a pole or chair for support). It helps you build greater bone and muscle resilience and improves your metabolism.
Practice good sleep hygiene
Before you head to bed, shut your phone and TV off, read, meditate and do bedtime yoga or other calming activities.
Accept that “shit is going to happen” and keep moving.
Realise that some days are just are not going to work for you, or you blow your day with a pizza—accept it for what it is. Rest and then, the next day, forgive yourself and keep moving forward.
