Have you ever felt the immense exhaustion that follows everywhere you go?
Lately, I have been battling several forms of exhaustion. The intense fatigue that hits me between 4 and 6pm. Getting woken up by an alarm (or energetic kids) and coming up with every creative measure to get that extra 5 minutes of sleep. And then there's that persistent lack of energy that never lets up. The kind that stops you from running extra errands, or staying on your feet long enough to try a new recipe, maybe even the type that makes you attached to the couch instead of playing with your kids.
I call it my "up and at 'em", and let me tell you lately I've been missing it. So, I decided to do some research (what I like to do now that I'm not in school), to find some ways to battle this ferocious beast. Because I figure I'm not the only one.
-Get a check up. It doesn't hurt anyone to get into that arena of scales, tongue depressors, sphygmomanometers (sorry, my nursing is coming out), and much needed lab work. A change in electrolytes or something like low B12 can make a difference in how you function in the day to day.
-Take "cat naps". If you find yourself struggling through the afternoon, or you find yourself seeking snacks to get you going, you might consider the fact that closing your eyes for 10 minutes alone can give you that little burst of energy you need to get you through your day.
-If you don't feel like taking a nap, get outside and take a brisk walk. Getting that fresh air will help wake you up and invigorate you.
-If you do need a snack, try and stay away from the "bad" carbs. It's true, they give you that fast high, which feels nice at the time, but then you rebound and sink even lower in your fatigue level. Having cut up vegetables handy gives you a quick option when you feel like you can't make it until dinner.
-Most importantly, get 6-8 hours of sleep at night. When you consistently let your body get enough rest, it makes a world of difference in your fatigue level. I know I have a lot of trouble at night shutting off the TV, committing myself to a good bedtime. But, think about your best energy levels-for most of us it comes better in the morning than at night. So, get to bed early and work toward an earlier alarm setting. Then you can get the rest you need, and can still have that uninterrupted productive time.
Lately, I have been battling several forms of exhaustion. The intense fatigue that hits me between 4 and 6pm. Getting woken up by an alarm (or energetic kids) and coming up with every creative measure to get that extra 5 minutes of sleep. And then there's that persistent lack of energy that never lets up. The kind that stops you from running extra errands, or staying on your feet long enough to try a new recipe, maybe even the type that makes you attached to the couch instead of playing with your kids.
I call it my "up and at 'em", and let me tell you lately I've been missing it. So, I decided to do some research (what I like to do now that I'm not in school), to find some ways to battle this ferocious beast. Because I figure I'm not the only one.
-Get a check up. It doesn't hurt anyone to get into that arena of scales, tongue depressors, sphygmomanometers (sorry, my nursing is coming out), and much needed lab work. A change in electrolytes or something like low B12 can make a difference in how you function in the day to day.
-Take "cat naps". If you find yourself struggling through the afternoon, or you find yourself seeking snacks to get you going, you might consider the fact that closing your eyes for 10 minutes alone can give you that little burst of energy you need to get you through your day.
-If you don't feel like taking a nap, get outside and take a brisk walk. Getting that fresh air will help wake you up and invigorate you.
-If you do need a snack, try and stay away from the "bad" carbs. It's true, they give you that fast high, which feels nice at the time, but then you rebound and sink even lower in your fatigue level. Having cut up vegetables handy gives you a quick option when you feel like you can't make it until dinner.
-Most importantly, get 6-8 hours of sleep at night. When you consistently let your body get enough rest, it makes a world of difference in your fatigue level. I know I have a lot of trouble at night shutting off the TV, committing myself to a good bedtime. But, think about your best energy levels-for most of us it comes better in the morning than at night. So, get to bed early and work toward an earlier alarm setting. Then you can get the rest you need, and can still have that uninterrupted productive time.
Feeling that right now.
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