Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating and impairing condition that will severely affect the lives of those affected by it. People who have it often feel pain in their body and doing even the slightest activity will cause great exertion to them. Some people who have the condition are even confined to their beds as moving will take its toll on them. As such, chronic fatigue syndrome will greatly reduce the functional capacity of the person affected by it and even cause depression due to its effects.

However not all hope is lost for those who have chronic fatigue syndrome. Although there is no exact cure for this condition, the symptoms can still be managed. There are many approaches on how to do this and some can even restore the person’s functional capacity. Here are two alternative mind-and-body approaches that can help people beat chronic fatigue syndrome.

Meditation is a simple exercise that is practiced by many ancient cultures. The goal of meditation is to allow the mind to relax and let go of the worries and stress of everyday life. It uses a variety of techniques such as breath, visualization, repeating a mantra, sound meditation, and mindfulness mediation. People who have chronic fatigue syndrome can benefit from meditation as it can greatly reduce stress which aggravates the effects of the condition. It can also improve their sleep patterns and increase their energy. Meditation can be done anywhere at anytime, it doesn’t require special equipment and clothing, and it doesn’t take much time and effort to do it.

Another alternative approach in beating the effects chronic fatigue syndrome is Yoga. Yoga uses a combination of mediation and gentle stretching exercises that does not use much energy. Yoga exercises also do not take away energy and puts energy back into that person instead, leaving him/her feeling refreshed and renewed. This is extremely important as those who have chronic fatigue syndrome are already lacking in energy. Yoga promotes more oxygen in the body, improve blood circulation, and release muscle tension. Yoga can also help reduce stress reactions, teach conservation of energy, and build self-confidence, allowing those who have chronic fatigue syndrome face the realities of their condition.