Health experts encourage people with SCD to rest when they’re tired. If you know a busy day is coming, try leaving some lower-key time before and after travel, long shifts, social events, or other demanding plans. Pacing your daily activities may also help you avoid using up all your energy at once.

You don’t have to wait until you’re completely wiped out to rest. Try building short breaks into errands, chores, classes, shifts, and physical activity. Guidance for students with SCD notes that regular breaks or brief rest periods may be needed after activity, although everyone’s limits are different.

A few changes at school or work may make it easier to manage your energy. School accommodations might include rest breaks, access to water, flexibility after appointments, or protection from cold and drafts.

At work, options may include rest breaks, flexible hours, or telework. You can also look into everyday support for accessing transportation and housing and paying for care.

Fatigue may not feel the same every day. For a week or two, try keeping track of your energy level along with your sleep, pain, activity, hydration, weather, and appointments. You may start to notice patterns you can share with your care team.

In a small study of 25 young people with SCD, poorer sleep was linked to more fatigue the next day. Because the study was small and involved young people, the finding may not apply to everyone.

Keeping a water bottle or another preferred drink nearby may make it easier to sip throughout the day. Adequate fluid intake is one part of reducing SCD complications.

How much fluid you need can depend on your health, activity level, and the weather. If you have kidney or heart problems or you’ve been told to limit fluids, ask your care team how much is right for you.

Very hot or cold weather can make living with SCD more challenging. When the forecast looks rough, consider indoor plans, extra layers, shade, cooling breaks, or shorter outings.

Your triggers may be different from someone else’s, so pay attention to what tends to affect you and follow the plan you’ve made with your care team.

Some days, saving your energy may mean handing off a task. You might ask someone you trust to shop, pick up prescriptions, drive, cook, or take care of another errand.

Fatigue can interfere with everyday activities, so getting help may leave you with more energy for the activities you need or want to do. Being specific about what you need help with can make asking easier.

Appointments, procedures, and emergency room visits can take a lot out of you. When possible, leave some room afterward for food, fluids, rest, and a slower return to your usual routine.

Pain episodes may last hours to days, so recovery may take time too. A written pain-crisis plan can help you know when home care may not be enough.

If fatigue is new, much worse than usual, or comes with shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or fever, contact your care team or seek urgent medical care.