Feeling tired and lacking energy

How to manage fatigue

• Get extra rest the day of and day after chemotherapy to allow your body to recover.
• Plan activities for the time of day when you tend to feel most energetic.
• Try to be physically active with moderate exercise (e.g. walking, swimming) and some strength training (e.g. weights or resistance bands). See an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. They can develop a suitable program.
• Accept offers of help or ask family, friends and neighbours to help with shopping, driving, housework or gardening. Online tools such as Gather My Crew to help organise this support.
• If you have children, ask trusted family and friends to look after them during your chemotherapy sessions and to be on call in case you become unwell afterwards.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and don’t skip meals.
• Try to limit how much you drink, smoke and vape.
• Try relaxation or meditation techniques to help reduce stress, improve your sleep and boost your energy levels. Listen to our podcast on meditation and relaxation or our podcasts on Finding Calm During Cancer.
• Check with your doctor whether your fatigue is related to low levels of red blood cells (anaemia). Anaemia can be treated.
• Speak to your employer about how they can support you (e.g. you may be able to take a few weeks off, reduce your hours or work from home).
• Talk to your treatment team about trying acupuncture – some studies suggest this may help with reducing fatigue after chemotherapy.
• Contact your doctor or nurse if you have been too tired to get out of bed for more than 24 hours, or if you feel breathless or dizzy after a small amount of activity.

For more on this, see Exercise for people living with cancer and Cancer, work and you.

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