Alternative Medicine for Morning Fatigue

Tired in the Morning?
By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide
Updated December 14, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Question: Tired in the Morning?
Is there a tea or some type of herbal spray or remedy that can energize people who have trouble waking and getting started in the morning?

Answer: Feeling tired in the morning can be due to difficulties with sleep or a medical condition, so the first step should be to consult your doctor to make sure that the problem isn't actually an underlying condition, such as depression, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, or diabetes.

Any type of stress, whether it's work stress, everyday worries, or family difficulties can make it difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep, which can leave you feeling tired and unrefreshed in the morning.
Diaphragmatic breathing is a simple technique that may help to reduce anxiety.

Meditation and regular yoga practice are other options. A professional counselor or therapist may be needed in certain situations.

Is your bedroom too dark when you wake up in the morning?

If so, it may be a reason why you feel sluggish. Light exposure plays a key role in telling the body when to go to sleep and when to wake up.

That's because the hormone melatonin, which helps with sleep, is produced in darkness. On the other hand, light—especially sunlight—causes the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps us wake up.

One way of increasing morning light is to open your drapes or blinds just before going to bed so that the morning light fills your room (doing it after you wake up doesn't work as well).

If you regularly drink coffee or caffeinated sodas, consider cutting back. Although many people rely on coffee for energy, consuming too much caffeine creates a vicious cycle, a dependency on caffeine, and can drain energy.

You don't have to cut out caffeine entirely. Green tea is a great alternative, because it contains less caffeine—about 8 to 30 mg per cup compared to 100 to 350 mg per cup of coffee.

Green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine which has been found in preliminary studies to enhance learning ability, induce relaxation and relieve emotional stress, possibly through its effects on serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters.

Regular black tea or flavored black teas, such as chai (an Indian spiced tea), are other options to consider.

Certain plant oils have aromas are believed to help boost energy. These oils, called essential oils, are used in aromatherapy.

Here is information on how to make an energizing essential oil blend.

You can simply put a couple drops in a handkerchief or tissue and inhale the aroma, use a diffuser in the bedroom, or add a drop or two in the shower to allow the steam to vaporize the essential oils.

MY THOUGHTS

i'm not a morning person. for some reason, i work best from lunchtime up to the wee hours of the morning. but it's not healthy. so, im always on the lookout for alternative medicines to make me sleep or wake me up. i close the drapes when i sleep. i like it really dark and cold. but then, i might not need any alternative medicine at all. i just need to open the drapes and let the morning sunshine wake me up. probably...

Alternative Medicine: Is a Massage Worth the Money

Is a Massage Worth the Money?
By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide
Updated April 10, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Sure, massage feels great and melts away stress. But a regular rubdown can also help you manage a host of chronic health problems. Here's how to get the most out of massage therapy without breaking the bank.

The Main Benefits of Massage

By lessening the tension in your muscles, massage therapy can help you overcome a number of stress-related health issues, including insomnia, fatigue, and lack of focus. Massage also reduces stiffness in your muscles and joints, which could help boost your flexibility and mobility (both essential to healthy aging).

What's more, research shows that massage can decrease stress hormones while increasing levels of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which could explain the therapy's positive effects on people with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treating Health Troubles with Massage

While massage can't cure disease, there is evidence that it can help ease the negative effects of several chronic conditions. For instance, a 2008 study showed that massage therapy may help increase range of motion and decrease pain in people struggling with low back pain and sciatica. Other studies suggest that regular massage can help lower high blood pressure, decrease stiffness and improve functioning in arthritis patients, and reduce pain intensity for people prone to tension headaches.

Research also indicates that massage might benefit those with carpal tunnel syndrome and post-operative pain.

Save Money on Massage

Since regular massage sessions can be costly, consider skipping high-end day spas and trying a massage clinic or chiropractic office. You can also save by going to a local massage school, but keep in mind that the students' skill levels may not be as high as those of experienced professionals. And if you're receiving massage to help with a medical condition, find out if your insurance will cover some or all of the cost.

Practicing self-massage (by using a tennis ball to rub away muscle knots, for example) can also go a long way in releasing tension. But no matter which approach you take, remember that massage only provides short-term relief of stress and stress-related symptoms. For optimal health, make sure to incorporate other natural treatments for stress into your daily routine.

MY THOUGHTS

we're lucky in the Philippines. a home service massage is a measly $6 per hour. i have a 2-hour massage every 2 weeks. it has become like an alternative medicine for my migraine. i'd say a massage, as an alternative medicine,is worth every penny