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Call our 24/7 advice line for health care professionals and families if you need support with symptom management and end of life care - 01284 766133.


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Fatigue / Tiredness

Fatigue means you feel exhausted or very tired all or most of the time. The feeling of tiredness does not improve by resting and can affect you physically and emotionally.

Fatigue can be a vicious cycle of feeling like the more you do nothing, the more tired and fatigued you feel. This can impact on your life in many ways. Fatigue and tiredness is a common symptom for people living with long term or life threatening illness. Some of the side effects of fatigue include:

  • Feeling you have no energy or strength
  • Difficulty doing small tasks such as brushing your teeth or making a cup of tea
  • Reduced concentration and ability to make decisions
  • Altered sleep pattern
  • Losing interest in sexual activity
  • Feeling dizzy or light headed
  • Low mood or change in emotions

Our Coping with fatigue leaflet includes tips and advice including how to pace yourself, adapting daily tasks, exercise and sleep.

Exercise can help reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue. This Mindful Movement video is a gentle exercise and mindfulness resource.

Fatigue management

If you have any questions please contact the Independent Living Team on 01284 702525.

Some basic tips

By following this basic advice, you can help to reduce the effect
which feelings of fatigue may have on you.

  • To begin with, keep a diary to find out whether your fatigue has a pattern. If it does, you can then plan to do activities at the times when you have the most energy
  • Think of energy like a bank account: you cannot take out more than what is already in the bank
  • Try to keep a balance between the activities that you feel you must do, and those that you enjoy doing
  • If fatigue increases, prioritise and leave unnecessary tasks for others who can do them for you
  • Avoid physical and emotional stress where possible
  • Rest when you feel tired – sit or lie down frequently