by Sudeep Chitnis

Created on: February 01, 2010   Last Updated: February 02, 2010

More and more people lately are complaining of this health issue which seems like a new craze of this century.  Fatigue, also known as exhaustion or lethargy or languidness or languor, is basically a state of awareness. This state could be both physical and mental depending upon the person. In physical fatigue, one hardly has strength to work due to sore and tired muscles. While in mental fatigue, it is the mind that shows a decreased ability to function due to over work. Here are few simple tips that can help anyone who suffers with either of these types of fatigue.

1] Hot Bath /Shower:
 One of the best prescriptions for those who had a long day full of physical and mental work would be a hot water bath or shower. Hot water has its own effects on the body especially on the muscles. Hot water is known to relax the muscles. According to Ayurveda, a hot bath is refreshing and very calming for the human brain. 

2] Massage:
 Tired, exhausted... Try having a nice quick 5 minutes massage and see the difference it would have on any individual. A simple hands on massage either given by someone or done by oneself can immediately relax a person. Increased circulation remains the key reason for why one feels relaxed after a massage. Not just more blood for the hands and legs, but also towards the brain cells.

3] Rest:
 What would be the best thing for something that has been over worked for long time... of course, rest! Go have a small nap or just lie down for 5 to 10 min and see the effects on your body. Rest can do pretty awesome things to one’s awareness. Rest for 5 minutes or the whole day - the results are one and the same. Often one has a habit of resting , but at the same time watching movies or the idiot box... normally that is not the rest one is speaking of here.  A complete absence of physical and mental work would be called as complete rest.

4] Music:
 One thing that can really relax one's brain after a nice mental workout would be nice soothing music more likely like Bach or Mozart's classics. Indian classical music has its own style where different ragas could actually help one calm ones over worked brain. The simple sound of waterfall or birds chirping has a very profound effect on brain cells and thus on fatigue. Thus try to rest and listen to a nice calm melody and then see the difference.

5] Yoga and Deep breathing:

 One of the new reinvented trends seen by many to relax is to have a nice yoga class. Why not? Yoga,especially deep meditation and deep breathing can work really excellently on both physical and mental fatigue. Deep breathing not only provides fresh oxygen to sore muscles, but also to the brain cells, thus relaxing them and refreshing them.
 

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