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Why am I soooo tired?
Over the past several week its been like living in a new world. Our daily routines have been turned upside down or vanished entirely. There is constant background noise of terrible and frightening news, a daily count of deaths and a daily flood of new COVID-19 cases. On top of all this are the concerns for our essential workers, healthcare professionals and a real possibility of running out of live-saving equipment. We are taking this all in while maintaining social isolation and navigating our unfamiliar days. We are experiencing a global pandemic and a collective stress that comes with it.
Coffee, matcha lattes, or a cup of strong black tea may give you a little boost for about 60-minutes but it won't lift, what I call, stress fatigue. If you feel more tired than usual, you have lots of company.
This is an unusual time and it is requiring another level of self-care.
Here's a few things you can do.
As simple as these 7 pointers are, when you have stress fatigue things are much harder. But I guarantee, when you take good care of yourself by paying attention and attending to your needs you will come out of this feeling better physically, mentally and emotionally.
May you be safe, healthy and have peace of mind!
Coffee, matcha lattes, or a cup of strong black tea may give you a little boost for about 60-minutes but it won't lift, what I call, stress fatigue. If you feel more tired than usual, you have lots of company.
This is an unusual time and it is requiring another level of self-care.
Here's a few things you can do.
- Rest More. And, don't feel guilty doing it! Even if you can't find a quiet space just lay down and close your eyes. Don't worry about what's not getting done, most things can wait. Trust what your body and mind are telling you. Rest to restore to recover.
- Be a Snail. Move slowly through the day, take your time. Pay attention to your pace. Take your time with daily routines, like brushing your teeth or washing you face. Don't walk, meander.
- Practice Patience. Patience is calm energy. When you are patient you won't exert as much energy as frustration. Conserve your energy anyway you can so you don't burn out. For example, when you leave your home for your home essentials, expect and accept that there will be a line. Prepare yourself to be patient. Watch your breathing as you go about your shopping. Breathe in 3-4 counts, exhale 6-7 counts. Do this a few times. Make sure your shoulders are relaxed as well. The less tense your body is the more energy your body was conserve.
- Get outdoors. It's been a cold and wet Spring in our area, far less sun and warmth than Southern Californians are used to. But getting outside despite the clouds is important. Not just for the change of scenery but for the fresh air, the new smells, the bright colors. The flowers are in bloom, the birds are singing, and there are plenty of happy dogs walking with their families. Enjoy the small stuff.
- Stay Connected. We actually don't have to be socially distancing, just physically distancing. Even an introvert needs some connection! Our brain is a social organ, we need connection. Human conversation can ward off loneliness and depression. When you feel connected this helps the 'feel good' hormones release in your brain which will keep your mood more positive and body more energized.
- Eat Healthy. This "stay at home" ordinance is not like vacation where anything goes! At least not after the second week! For the long-haul keep your nutrition on track. High sugar and high fat foods are comforting but they cause sluggishness. They also have lots of non- nutritional calories. Calories are just a way of counting energy. Eating healthy provides your body with nourishment and energy.
- Move. When you're feeling fatigue from stress its really hard to not just plop on the couch. Of course, you do need to rest, but you also need to keep blood circulating through your body. It can be a challenge to know when you need to rest to restore your body and mind and when to push yourself to get energy. Give yourself time to practice with this. You'll learn the difference with time.
As simple as these 7 pointers are, when you have stress fatigue things are much harder. But I guarantee, when you take good care of yourself by paying attention and attending to your needs you will come out of this feeling better physically, mentally and emotionally.
May you be safe, healthy and have peace of mind!
