What to Buy I Have Chronic Fatigue—These 7 Products Help Me Combat the Brain Fog When I'm struggling to get out of bed, this is the gear I turn to. By Phoebe Sklansky Phoebe Sklansky Phoebe Sklansky is an Associate Commerce Editor with experience covering all things lifestyle, wellness, and family. health's editorial guidelines Updated on August 10, 2023 Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Health / Madison Woiten Some days, it takes me an entire hour to simply get out of bed. Two-and-a-half years ago, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS. It’s a form of dysautonomia, and basically, it means my autonomic nervous system is totally out of whack, and a 150+ heart rate isn’t a shocking occurrence. Symptoms can vary—some people who have POTS faint regularly or now use a wheelchair as a result of the condition—but for me, the main thing I deal with is chronic fatigue and the brain fog that goes along with it. On days that waking up takes less than an hour, I spring out of bed but am flagging by 11 a.m. Living with a cloud of exhaustion has become the norm for me, which is probably the reason I drink so much coffee and would sleep until dinner if you let me. While there is no “cure” for my POTS symptoms, I’ve discovered some handy items over the past few years that help me manage the fatigue and exhaustion. Though they may not make my symptoms disappear, they significantly improve my quality of life—and for someone dealing with a chronic condition, that is a huge win. Away Travel Compression Socks Away Compression socks encourage blood to flow back to my heart after standing, helping combat fatigue and keeping me going for longer. I tested this Away Travel pair for our roundup of the best compression socks, and I love that they’re comfortable enough to be worn for hours on end without feeling constrictive, yet fitted enough to be effective. To buy: Away Travel Compression Socks $35; awaytravel.com Hatch Restore 2 Hatch The Hatch Restore 2 is a product I simply can’t shut up about. Similar to the brand’s popular Rest for babies, the Restore is a noise machine and night light in one, with an added alarm clock function. This machine wakes me up in the morning with gentle sunlight (you can choose the color) and soothing noise, like music or birds chirping. It eases me into the day much better than a traditional alarm clock, and the white noise helps me sleep so much better at night. To buy: Hatch Restore 2 $200; hatch.co and amazon.com TrekProof Ice Packs (3-Pack) Amazon Many people with POTS—myself included—have difficult regulating their temperature, and this summer, ice packs have been my savior when coming back to my stuffy apartment after a sweaty walk outside. This three-pack is freezer- and microwave-safe, so you can opt for cold or heat therapy. To buy: TrekProof Ice Packs $19 (was $30); amazon.com Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen Amazon I got diagnosed with POTS largely due to my high heart rate and how fast it spikes. (People with POTS tend to experience drastic spikes in their heart rate when going from sitting to standing.) While there’s not much I can do to change this, it brings me immense peace of mind to be able to check what my heart rate is at all times, which is why I initially purchased my Apple Watch. It has a convenient heart rate tracking app (plus an ECG for those who need it), and it also comes in handy for tracking my doctor-recommended cardio. To buy: Apple Watch SE $219 (was $249); amazon.com MyBevi Outlander Insulated Mug Amazon One of the most important things you can do to combat fatigue is hydrate—and hydrate well. I’m pretty good at remembering to drink water, but I’m often too lazy (or too ill) to get up and refill my bottle when I’m done. I love my huge MyBevi Insulated Mug, which holds 32 ounces of water and keeps it cold for hours using vacuum insulation and copper coating. At the end of my work day, there’s usually still some unmelted ice floating around in my cup, which is really impressive. To buy: MyBevi Outlander Insulated Mug $35; amazon.com Bala Bands Bala Bala Bands have been a simple way for me to up my fitness routine, even on days when I’m not feeling my best. Each band in this pack has a different level of resistance, so I can tailor my workout to how I’m feeling that day. I particularly love the anti-slip lining, so they don’t fall down my legs, and the compact carrying case for toting them to the gym. To buy: Bala Bands (3-Pack) $35; shopbala.com Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier Amazon POTS makes me chronically dehydrated, which compounds my fatigue. While I’m pretty much an expert on the electrolyte offerings on the market—I particularly love Hydrant packets and Nuun tablets—I’ve recently been into Liquid IV’s newest hydration multiplier packets. I like that the sugar-free packets are non-GMO and don’t contain any artificial sweeteners, and the small packets are easy to toss into my bag, too. To buy: Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier starting at $25; amazon.com and liquid-iv.com Shop More Health Deals This Viral Water Bottle Lives Up to All the Hype—and It's on Major Sale Right Now Protect Yourself Against Wildfire Smoke With These NIOSH-Approved Face Masks—and Many Are on Sale Women Dealing with Perimenopause Swear These Products Provide Major Symptom Relief Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit