Energy: Vital for Life, Challenging When Depleted
Energy is essential to enjoying life—being present for your family, doing the things you love, and managing daily tasks. But when you're running on empty, everything feels harder.
I know this feeling personally—being completely wiped out, dragging yourself through the day, trying to rest but never really feeling refreshed. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and isolating. And for many of my clients living with or recovering from cancer, this kind of deep, lingering fatigue is one of the most challenging symptoms they face.
This isn’t the kind of tiredness that a cup of coffee or a good night’s sleep can fix. Cancer-related fatigue is complex and multifactorial. And while it’s common, it’s not something you just have to “put up with.”
What Causes Cancer-Related Fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue can be caused by a mix of factors, including:
The cancer itself
The body’s response to treatments and the healing process (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy)
Side effects like pain, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies, or stress
Emotional toll of a diagnosis and the disruption of everyday life
Sleep disturbances and disrupted circadian rhythms
Juggling everyday responsibilities while managing treatment
A Real-Life Example (Anonymised)
Daisy, like many of my clients, was juggling a lot: full-time work, two young children, and a busy home life. Then came her breast cancer diagnosis, which flipped everything upside down. Between surgery, chemotherapy, and upcoming radiotherapy, one of her biggest concerns was fatigue.
She wasn’t sleeping well—waking in the night, struggling to fall back asleep, and hitting a wall by late afternoon. Concentration was nearly impossible, and her quality of life had taken a huge hit.
Together, we created a tailored physiotherapy plan focused on restoring her energy. We worked with her sleep, movement, and daily routine to help her regain a sense of control and vitality.
Understanding Your Energy Battery
Think of your energy like a battery. When your reserves are low, even small tasks can feel overwhelming. Constantly draining your battery without time to recharge can lead to crashes that take days to recover from.
What drains your energy?
Cancer treatments and their side effects
Taking on too much without rest
Poor or disrupted sleep
Healing from surgery
Mental and emotional stress
Tips to Recharge Your Battery
🗓 Plan & Pace
Schedule energy-consuming tasks when you feel most alert
Take short breaks to avoid burnout
🧠 Delegate & Prioritise
Focus your energy on what truly matters
Ask for help from family, friends, or paid support
🥗 Nutrition
Fuel your body with the right foods
Make meals easier to manage (prep ahead, ask for help, choose nourishing snacks)
💬 Emotional Health
Talk to someone: a friend, psychologist, or support group
Schedule enjoyable activities that boost your mood
🧘♀️ Rest & Relaxation
Build quiet moments into your day
Try meditation, music, or simply sitting outside in nature
😴 Sleep Support
Review your sleep schedule and make adjustments
Consider short naps if needed, but protect your nighttime sleep
🏃♀️ Movement & Exercise
Exercise reduces fatigue—even during cancer treatment
Start small: a 5-minute walk or gentle stretching
Avoid the boom-bust cycle by pacing your exercise carefully
Yes, It’s Hard. But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you're already fatigued. That’s where support matters.
As a specialist cancer physiotherapist, I work alongside you to:
Understand your unique energy challenges
Develop a personalised fatigue management plan
Improve your sleep, movement, recovery, and emotional wellbeing
Support you through your treatments and beyond
Ready to Reclaim Your Energy? Let’s Talk.
You don’t have to push through this alone. Let’s work together to rebuild your energy and help you live more fully—whatever phase of your cancer journey you're in.
📞 Get in touch today to book an appointment or find out how I can help you.
Let’s start where you are—and move forward, together.