Fatigue is one of the most common complaints that patients don’t tell their doctors about. Many think that it’s just “a sign of aging” or “part of living in the modern world.” Others reason that there’s nothing their doctors can do about it anyway, perhaps because it’s been dismissed in the past. But fatigue can have real and sometimes serious negative impacts on your life.
A symptom of many ailments, fatigue can also cause its own cascade of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, including compromised immune function, slowed healing, headaches, dizziness, poor judgement and mental functioning, slow reaction time, body pain, irritability, depression, and susceptibility to a wide range of diseases.
If you’re tired of being tired, read on to learn more about how to manage and reduce fatigue using Japanese red reishi mushrooms, also known as the “mushroom of immortality.”
Not enough sleep
When patients tell me they are often tired, the most sensible questions for me to ask first are about their sleep.
- How many hours of sleep are you getting daily, on average?
- Do you have problems falling asleep? What about staying asleep?
- Do you have a regular sleep schedule?
- Do you wake up still tired?
Though we’ve all been there with an occasional sleepless night, tossing and turning in bed, prolonged insomnia and chronic tiredness can have a negative impact on your health and your wellbeing, including making you a dangerous driver, apt to emotional outbursts, and prone to self-isolation.
If you have insomnia, check out these things you can do to help you get better sleep: “Why Aren’t You Sleeping?” In addition to working on sleep hygiene, red reishi mushrooms have been shown to help calm and relax the mind enough to promote a restful sleep.
If you are falling to prey late nights (into early morning) of internet browsing, YouTube trance-inducing video watching, and “next episode” tv streaming, it’s time to break those habits that are preventing you from getting enough sleep and being your best self.
Other causes of fatigue
Even if you are clocking in enough bedtime hours, sleep apnea, shiftwork, and excessive alcohol consumption can all affect the restorative quality of your sleep.
Apart from sleep issues, other causes of fatigue include anemia, poor diet, digestive malabsorption issues, hypothyroidism, diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, pain, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, autoimmune disease, allergies, concussion, obesity, infection, stress, and even the medications that are used to treat some of these health issues.
The causes of fatigue are diverse and are often triggered by a combination of lifestyle, social, psychological, and general wellbeing issues. While you source out the reason for your fatigue, here are some steps you can take to improve your energy.
- Do your best to get enough restful, restorative sleep.
- Limit your intake of sugar, alcohol and other intoxicants, caffeine, and processed foods.
- Choose a variety of healthful, nutrient-rich foods.
- Hydrate well.
- Manage your stress with breathwork, meditation, time with loved ones, creative activities, or nature walks.
- Include daily movement. I know you’re tired, but the right amount of exercise can actually improve your energy.
Treating fatigue with red reishi mushrooms
Known as ling zhi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, reishi has been used for centuries to boost health and wellbeing. This incredible herb has been shown to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, and treat insomnia.
Reishi mushrooms also support the immune system that would otherwise take a beating when you don’t get enough quality sleep.
Additionally, as a Qi and Blood* tonic with a reported action of “nourishing the Heart* and calming the spirit,” reishi mushroom can support energy, digestion, and respiration. It offers a non-stimulant way to feel more energized, so it can be taken at the start or end of your waking day.
Tired of being tired? With the fatigue-fighting benefits of Japanese red reishi mushrooms, you have a tool to help manage your stress, curb insomnia, and have more energy.
*Traditional Chinese Medicine defines organs as a whole system with a multitude of connections, not just a single physical organ.