Running on empty?
Constant exhaustion is bad for your health
THERE seem to be a lot of people who feel either permanently tired or downright exhausted all the time. Is that you or someone you know?
Being exhausted is an unhealthy state to be in and stops us from really enjoying and engaging with life and all that it offers. It can also impair judgment, affect concentration and cause irritability and forgetfulness. Modern life certainly places pressure on us at times and there are always myriad things we could worry about. So there may be multiple causes for our exhaustion. But, let’s be honest, we can be our own worst enemy.
If your level of fatigue has you looking for something to kick-start each day or boost your “energy” levels such as caffeine or sugar, dreaming of an afternoon nap at 11am or longing for a beer or glass of wine at the end of the day then it’s time to pay attention to the cause.
If you carry a lot of anxiety all the time, whether low-level or full blown, over time it can lead to continual fatigue and exhaustion. Remember that anxiety is about an unknown outcome, ie a future-based state, so what is it that causing your anxiousness?
It is also worth getting a thorough check from your healthcare practitioner because there could be an underlying medical condition causing the exhaustion.
Another area to look at is eating habits. Poor habits, low-quality food, lack of fresh ingredients, over-eating, under-eating and timing of meals can all contribute to poor digestion and affect quality of sleep, which has an impact on our energy levels and contributes to our overall fatigue.
If you find that you feel sluggish or tired after eating or drinking certain things then it may be worth cutting them out for a few days and note any difference.
What about your water intake? Many of us just don’t drink enough water, mistaking thirst for hunger, and being dehydrated can add to fatigue and exhaustion.
The last suggestion is to take a look at your life overall. If you are constantly busy, particularly if it’s for other people and focusing on the next thing, you are using and creating nervous energy and life can become a bit like a to-do list.
Everyone’s energy levels can fluctuate but if you feel you’re constantly running on empty then it’s time to explore why and to find ways of conserving some for you as well as finding the things that sustain and re-energise you.
If you find that you feel sluggish or tired after eating or drinking certain things then it may be worth cutting them out for a few days...