How to overcome chronic fatigue?

I thought this was normal. Every time I wake up I'm totally exhausted despite sleeping well. I can just about manage regular life when going to work, but if I don't have work (like over xmas) I just fail at everything, my long list of interesting productive ideas goes up in smoke, and I can find myself falling asleep in the middle of the day.

I've always put it down to acute loneliness and not having any drive due to being generally comfortable financially etc.

If I could take a pill or whatever and fix it, I'd be a very happy man.

There is probably a reason for your fatigue. You need to find it. You've probably guessed it beforehand: It can be physical (go see a doctor) or mental (go see a therapist). Make use of them, even though it might turn out not helpful afterwards. You said you're financially stable, so even if you're in US, you can go and see doctor and therapist.

>I generally feel that I won the game of life.

Reason a lot about that. Why do you think that is? What's important to you? Any connections with anything that you can observe?

From what you posted, you seem like a well functioning human being. Relationship, job, money, exercise, sleep, diet(?). I'm not sure a habit or another exercise would help you. Maybe try to approach this a bit more abstract and not try to fight the symptoms - that was my first thought reading this... Maybe this somewhat helps you a tiny step. I wish you very well!

I've been experiencing this as well, but for me it seems to be largely seasonal (very long dark days in winter around here). I find that forcing myself to get up early and get started with the day results in more energy throughout, but in the darkest months that's difficult. I think taking vitamin D helps me personally, but have never gotten a proper blood test to know if I was deficient.

Exercise always helps, but with gyms being closed during COVID I haven't been lifting, which is usually my exercise of choice. In the cold months it is so easy not to step foot outside for days at a time.

I hope you will update us with daily morning walks. I have a strong suspicion that would help me as well: if I just had the energy and willpower to get out of a warm bed on a very cold day and do it.

Do you feel worse after sleeping generally? Two causes I know of this 1) sleep apnea, 2) grinding/clenching/TMJ issues. The second one was a huge problem for me over the past 10+ years, manifesting vaguely as “fatigue” similar to what you describe. I finally found a solution about 1.5 years ago that has allowed me to reclaim about 25% of my waking hours that I was losing to this condition. I’m not 100% where I’d like to be but it’s been a huge game changer. I recommend taking this very seriously and pursuing answers on a weekly basis until you find something that works. And realize that chronic pain can manifest as chronic fatigue.

You need good quality sleep and a regular sleep schedule. https://neurosciencenews.com/sleep-need-19124/ https://scitechdaily.com/hit-the-sleep-sweet-spot-to-keep-br...

Magnesium before bed may help. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/magnesium-the-most-powerf_b_4...

Do you track your sleep using a wearable devise such as an Oura ring, Fitbit or Apple Watch? I was suffering from very similar fatigue issues last year and found that although I was spending sufficient time in bed I was not achieving good sleep quality. I managed to address these problems and I've never felt better. Happy to share what worked for me if that is of interest to you.

Have you been checked for any auto-immune conditions? Have you ever been checked for Celiac or gluten intolerance/other food allergies? These kinds of conditions can bring about chronic fatigue. Unfortunately they can be difficult to narrow down sometimes since they are so unique to the individual.

Listen if this resonate with you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVUoMeJGQ7M This man actually saved my life explaining how perceived danger can create multiple types of symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue.

Greetings from Poland.

Have you ever been checked for sleep disorders like apnea? Waking up tired after a full night of sleep is a very common experience for apnea sufferers as you basically never fully fall asleep. Common signs include snoring or waking up to pee at night, although the only real test is a sleep study.

Have you had a sleep study done? You might have sleep apnea or something.

OP here – thank you to everyone who replied in this thread. This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for. Please keep the answers coming.

Check your testosterone levels if you are a male

What foods do you eat throughout the day?

You are probably deficient in some vitamins and shit.

I was having the same issues, turns out a lot of these problems are caused by low b12, folic acid, vitamin D, etc.

Doctors couldn't help because they only see you for exactly 5 minutes and only 1 problem only.

Took me about 30 visits until I told them to test me for deficiencies and there it was.

I would say that a lot of these problems are caused by not getting the proper vitamins and minerals.