Do you feel tired so often that  it almost feels normal, especially during the rushed holidays? You don't have to take fatigue lying down.

Although the underlying cause of persistent fatigue can be hard to identify, that doesn't mean it  is imaginary. Fatigue often signals that something is wrong, physically or emotionally.

Harvard medical experts say that even if you're being treated for fatigue-producing illness, you can take steps to rev up your engines, such as:

•  Exercising. Exercise almost guarantees that you'll sleep more soundly. It also causes your body to release hormones that can make you feel energized.

•  Eating for energy. Small meals or snacks every few hours can reduce your perception of fatigue by ensuring a steady supply of nutrients to the brain. 
 
•  Controlling stress. Relaxation therapies like meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi are effective stress-reduction techniques.

•  Lightening your load. Prioritize your list of must-do activities, and pare down less important tasks.
 
•  Not smoking. Nicotine speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep. And once you do fall asleep, its addictive power can kick in and awaken you with cravings.

•  Enjoying the outdoors. Gardening, hiking, or walks in the park can help restore body and soul. There aren't any scientific studies documenting that communing with nature can actually fight fatigue, but some scientists are exploring this theory.