Year-end fatigue for those who have not heard of it is a phenomenon experienced by a lot of people towards the end of the year. In the case of the world that we live in, it can also be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the symptoms include constant exhaustion that makes it harder to get up in the morning, irritability, and being easily overwhelmed.
If you think about it, we have spent the year working and pushing ourselves to meet deadlines and goals that we have set for ourselves, and by the time the end of the year comes, all we can think about is a vacation. All of this can hinder us from accomplishing our targets and ending the year on a high note.
Five tips to overcome year-end fatigue
If your productivity levels have reduced due to year-end fatigue, it might be time to find a new normal that will allow your body and mind to get through the last months of the year in one piece.
Here are five tips to help with dealing with this fatigue.
Create a realistic schedule
Maybe at the beginning of the year, when energy levels were still at a high, it was easy to pull longer hours of work and get through multiple tasks. However, with the constant exhaustion peaking through, overcommitting will be mentally draining and lead to a full-blown burnout. Creating a simple and realistic schedule before bed will help you stay calm and more fit to complete your to-do list.
Prioritise sleep
Sleep deprivation at any time of the year can affect your overall mood and performance. Aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep will help rejuvenate the brain will help improve your mood, productivity and help you stay focused. Make sure your bedroom helps you relax, switch the lights, the television, and put your phone away to allow your brain and body to replenish.
Drink more water
Water is the juice of life. Being dehydrated has many negative impacts on your health. If you are not hydrated, it means your body is working extra hard to pump blood into your body, which will affect the flow of oxygen and result in being overly tired and finding it difficult to concentrate.
Focus eating brain power foods
The brain is the control center for our body and requires nutrients to keep it healthy. Therefore, including food into your diet that helps with the functionality of the mind will help fight the symptoms of year-end fatigue and improve your overall health.
Food such as avocadoes, fish, nuts berries, dark chocolate, and whole-grain foods provide the brain with Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that build and repair brain cells and reduce cellular stress and inflammation.
Implement a self-care plan
Taking time to cater to your emotional and physical needs can be easily forgotten when work takes over. However, when you feel the fatigue kicking in, it is time to listen to your body and sneak in days that are fully about relaxing. Doing this will help you sleep better and create a balance between work and personal life.
It could be simple things like taking a hot bath and listening to music, meditating, and catching up with loved ones. This will make a significant difference in the way you handle challenges both at work and at home.