Overcoming feeling tired a lot

Hi @Neb,

Being tired all the time is the pits!

I can relate because up until quite recently I had pretty severe insomnia for most of my life and I was just ALWAYS tired (er, so there is a WALL of suggestions below). You can just about make it through the essentials, but all of the good stuff that actually helps to replenish you tends to fall by the wayside.

Now in my case it was insomnia and you say you are getting enough sleep - however I would start by checking whether this sleep is actually of good quality. So do you have any snoring or sleep apnea issues, is your sleep efficiency up over 85% (there are some good phones apps that can helps you monitor that). In my case it was sleep efficiency that was the real culprit - I'd spend 12 hours in bed to get six hours of very very broken and light sleep. So I felt like I was sleeping all the time, but I was not getting the kind of sleep that I needed.

You might also try, if you have not already, some of the apps that help to wake you up in the better part of your sleep cycle which can make a big difference.

Next on my checklist - is this seasonally related at all? Does getting more sunlight help to energise you? Some people suffer from Seasonal Afective Disorder and use Light Therapy to make a big dfference in their enegery and mood levels over the darker months of the year.

Next up - Nutrition. Iron and B-vitamins are probably the most crucial - a good multivitamin daily can make a world of difference. Are you getting enough food? Are they good quality foods with sustained release - eg complex carbs, fats and proteins rather than simple carbs. How's your blood sugar?

Hydration - Do you get enough water? Dehydration rears its head in many forms and fatigue is one of them.

Thyroid - If you have ruled out all of the above maybe consider getting your thyroid levels checked.

What if you are in tip top shape physically and STILL tired?

* Any chance it is a side effect of a medication? If so can you try another instead?

* Are you doing regular exercise? While it can feel impossibly hard to start when you are already so tired exercise is one of those annoyingly helpful things that gives GREAT benefits for exactly the sort of thing that makes exercising challenging to do. Even a daily brisk walk can help to improve energy levels.

* Are you emotionally or mentally burned out? Are you getting enough time for you to do things that replenish you? Do you know what replenishes you? It's very easy to fall into a habit of flopping on the couch inf ront of the telly, thinking that we are too pooped to do anything more demanding, but often this is exactly the kind of 'activity' that ends up draining us more. If you have tasks or activities that alwasy make you feel better, or alive, or accomplished or proud then doing even a little of that each day is better than spending the same amount of time 'veging out' and will be more restorative.

* Maybe try meditation. Lots of people find it very relaxing AND very energising atthe same time. If you are unsure of how to medidtate there are loads of apps and guided meditations that can help you to learn. I'm not a huge fan of meditation, but I quite like listening to a guided meditation track when I find one I like. In a similar vein there are various subliminal tracks that might be effective. I usually enjoy these more myself.

And now we are at the Frou-frou hippy la-la end of the list....

Accupuncture or other energy therapies like reiki

'Chi Massagers' these are actually really fun and quite stimulating! http://www.thechimachine.com.au/

Herbal 'adaptogens' like Ginseng, Ginko Biloba etc can help and things like Guarana or Kanna can give you a quick alertness and energy boost - talk to your Doctor before going on herbs though, especially if you are on ANY medications as interactions can be important, even critical.

'Superfoods' high in nutrients and anti-oxidents - acai berries, chia seeds, berries, green tea etc all have a myriad of purpoted benefits, and they don't taste half bad.

Hope you come across something new in the above list, and that you find your energy levels lifting soon.

me too @Neb... all of the above on @chookmojo's great list

I was getting all excited reading from my fellow craft lady @Neb, then I read @chookmojo (good suggestions) then @Appleblossom and @HappyOne....

What else can I suggest???

Its all been covered so here it goes....

Yes @Neb I am calling balise here....I'm on your path. My tiredness, I can see if my stalker has harrassed me that I get really tireder and want to sleep more.

HAve you got anyone like neighbours or anything giving you a bit of anxt, maybe they dont realise ?

Also, when I turned 45 years old, I stopped working fulltime and collapsed into a heap of tiredness. Found out if was thyroid issues.

But Im definately more and more tired even under thyriod medication.

You have a lap band dont you? Whats happening about that?

I have a lapband. Its the best thing thats happened to me butas I remember, you had issues...??

Am I on the right path?

Maybe try not to fight it anymore, just take naps for as long as you need to when you can, and eventually your body will go back to normal again when it's caught up... It's what I do... I get tired sometimes for no reason, every now and then during the day or early evening. Sometimes I sleep in two sets - really early evening and then later on properly. I went to the doc and asked what it could be, she took blood and what-not and came back with nothing. I thought it might be something serious - very glad it wasn't.

Tiredness is very familiar to me and I sleep way too much. Especially this week I've been sleeping crazy amounts. Depression and tiredness go hand in hand and these things seem to go hand in hand with me it seems. I was even tired a lot as a child. I don't have any easy answers but @chookmojo has some good suggestions, as usual.

@Neb

Hi babe,I must just comment on something else here......

and that's @DefiantPanda pic and name........

You are SO COOL.....

Love the picture of being a defiant panda.........

Just need to let you know, about 6 years ago, I was at San Diego zoo staring at the new panda.....what a great name....

You are so right as well. I sleep way too much and bring my stratchy thing wherever I go to start excersising but too tired to do it.

Hehe @PeppiPatty thanks. I am very defiant most of the time.

I have been seeing a psychologist monthly initially for my disordered eating patterns, but I really enjoy seeing someone professionally with boundaries firmly in place, and I do enjoy being able to talk to a bloke. Well, I am trying to use my cpap machine again....wish me luck!