- Ali
Are you one of the thousands of women who are Tired All The Time?
According to statistics, we’re in the grips of an energy crisis. 20% of women are said to have suffered with fatigue that lasts for at least a month. A fifth of us say we don’t shower daily, purely because we’re too tired, and records show that 10% of GP appointments are to investigate unexplained tiredness. Doctors even have a term for it: Tired All The Time (TATT).
Thousands of people across the UK are waking up today feeling tired and lethargic and wondering if they could just take another 10 minutes before they hit the alarm button again. Are you one of them?
Over the last few years I’ve talked to more and more women who I believe are experiencing adrenal fatigue. It’s a little known, but potentially huge cause of low energy, says author of A Great Day At The Office, Dr John Briffa. It’s caused by low-level ongoing stress which can be anything from an unpleasant boss or co-worker, a busy commute, to feeling the pressure to be on call 24-7 to answer work emails and juggle family life.
All of this means we never actually switch off and it is all putting pressure on the adrenal glands which are responsible for excreting adrenaline and the stress-busting hormone cortisol. This is so important to the body as it not only gets us out of bed in the morning but it helps to regulate our energy levels too. But instead of releasing a hit of cortisol in response to an emergency, the sight of a Saber Tooth Tiger or serious danger, the constant stress we allow ourselves to work in eventually drains the adrenals, so they’re unable to produce enough of the hormone when you really need it, leaving us tired all the time.
If you find yourself tired all the time I’m hoping my experience can help you. I’ve found that as well as life style changes the addition of an Arbonne energy fizz stick can make all the difference.
Fizz sticks are part of the Arbonne Essentials range which consists of supplements formulated with premium ingredients and the latest nutrient delivery technology. Each formula supplies nutrients to target specific health and wellness needs. For me about 3pm is when I need energy so an Energy Fizz Stick is what I reach for.
Not only do they contain B Vitamins which are what health professional prescribe for energy deficiencies but they have pantothenic acid which contributes to normal mental performance and Chromium which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. All in all they are energy for us busy people on the go and come in two flavours – Pomegranate and Citrus in a handy sachet so you can have them in your desk drawer or handbag for when you need them. I love the pomegranate flavour but Miss H prefers the Citrus!
Try them both and let me know which is your favourite.
When it comes to lifestyle, I’ve also found that when I feel stressed or down my energy is zapped too. I have a few key things I do to turn myself around and I hope they’ll help you to feel less tired too.
Keep a gratitude journal
It’s hard to feel down when you’re concentrating on things that you’re grateful for!
Gratitude increases your well-being by helping you connect with all that’s good in your life. When you connect daily to what you are thankful for and appreciate, the result is that you feel good more often.
A daily gratitude practice doesn’t need to be time consuming either.
Before I go to bed at night I write down the three best things that have happened to me today that I’m most grateful for. It might be as simple as seeing a new bird on the bird feeder, or actually making the earlier train because the traffic was Ok this morning, or celebrating a good result in Miss H’s mock GCSE exams. It doesn’t have to be unique or mind blowing. As Winnie the Pooh says “sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
I always focus on the good stuff just before I go to sleep as I know I’ll think about this while I’m dropping off and so attract more of the good stuff tomorrow and the day after too. It simply diverts my attention from what I might otherwise be worrying about or obsessing over.
Self care
Taking care of ‘ME’ is key to our wellbeing and boosting energy levels.
Why do so many of us rush around looking after everyone and everything else and neglect ourselves. I know that previously I was always the last one on the list for taking time out for me. I already had too many things on my to-do list and ‘me time’ wasn’t one of them.
Oh how times have changed! Since I started my Arbonne business I have downsized my work life and have so much more flexibility without any drop in income.
I now look forward to my self-care activities and never want them to end! For me that’s exercising, cooking and meditating every day.
Some ideas for self-care activities include:
- Taking a bath – I love the Arbonne Sea Sorce Spa Treatments as a real luxury product at home
- Getting a massage
- Restorative yoga or simple gentle stretching and deep breathing
- Meditating
- Taking a nap
- Curling up with a good book
- Taking a walk in the fresh air (with our without a dog!)
- Sitting in the sun for 15 minutes
- Making a fresh juice or smoothie
- Taking time for your skin care ritual
Self-care is any activity you enjoy and that increases your state of calm.
Try and add at least 10-20 minutes of self-care to your routine a day and if you have more time, aim for more. This will help to reduce stress and will hopefully will help you avoid feeling tired all the time.
My daily meditation keeps me ticking along nicely and if I miss it even for a few days I really start to feel the effects. I spend 10 minutes meditating before I go to bed. I switch my phone off and simply sit quietly concentrating on my breathing or looking at a single object with a soft focus. There are countless meditating apps and books available to help you too. I love
Andy Puddicombe at Headspace, you can do a free 10 day trial with this link.
Do you feel tired all the time? If you’d rate your energy levels at anything lower than 60% why not message me for a chat. I’d love to help you get your groove back.
