Are you worn down, worn out, overwhelmed, and exhausted? Or maybe you’re not completely burnt out, but you feel like you could use a little extra energy or that extra boost to take better care of yourself?
The next 15 days, we’re going to be talking about how to take care of you as part of a 15 Days to a Healthier You series I’m running here on the blog. I hope you’ll join us!
Taking Care of You is Important
As busy moms, wives, and women, I know how easy it is for us to put ourselves and our health as a last priority. There’s always something that seems more important, more pressing, more necessary.
But the truth is, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we aren’t going to be able to serve others as effectively. Because if we’re just barely functioning ourselves, how are we going to have anything worthwhile to be able to pour into others?
A number of years ago, I read the book Leading on Empty and it had a profound impact on my life. While the book was written by a pastor specifically for leaders and church leaders, I found I related to a lot of what he shared.
One of my favorite pieces of advice from the book was when he talked about making a list of what energizes you and what depletes you. Even though it’s been quite a few years since I read the book, I still remember the little yellow lined notebook paper I wrote out my list on and I well remember how difficult it was for me to think of what actually energized me.
This exercise was extremely eye-opening to me. I realized I had a long, long list of things in my life that were draining me. But more important than that, I realized I struggled to even come up with one thing in my life that energized me.
That’s when I knew something had to change. I couldn’t just keep doing the same thing and expecting that somehow I was going to get different results and feel less exhausted and run down.
Taking Care of You is Not Selfish
Taking care of ourselves is actually a gift we give to others. It allows us to be more energetic, more vibrant, more excited about life, less irritable, more focused, and probably more fun to be around!
Contrary to how it might feel or what we might tell ourselves, putting ourselves last hurts other people in the long run.
When we are worn down, worn out, and wrung out, other people are going to have to come in and pick us up when we collapse and help carry our load or try to nurse us back to health. When we’ve gone for a really long time without taking care of ourselves, it’s likely going to take a long time to get our health back. We can prevent this on the front end by just making taking care of ourselves more of a priority!
I want you to think back over the last few weeks of your life and consider if you engaged in activities that were mostly depleting you, mostly energizing you, or if you had a healthy mix of both. A healthy life will have give and take; enough refueling stops to make up for all of the fuel expended.
“Taking Care of You” Looks Different for Different People
Here’s the important thing to remember: what energizes you will be very different than what energizes someone else.
I’m energized by quiet, reading an engaging book, watching a movie with my husband, a great one-on-one conversation with a close friend, writing a blog post, cleaning my house, adult coloring, hanging out and talking and laughing with people we know really well, exercise, listening to my favorite music, and tinkering in the kitchen.
I’m depleted by large crowds, phone calls, shopping, a go-go-go lifestyle, lots of noise, nonstop questions and needs from my kids or others, being “on” (such as on camera or on stage or at an event), any situation where there are a lot of people, or almost any situation that is new and unfamiliar.
You may have just read my lists and thought, “I am JUST like her!” or “I am NOT like her at all!” or “I’m like her in some ways and very different than her in other ways.”
That’s the beauty of how we’re all unique and different. None of us is a carbon copy of each other and we don’t need to be.
I want you to recharge your batteries in the way that works best for you, not in the way that works best for me.
Note: Want to talk more about this with me live? I’d love to have you join me on Periscope (around 8 to 8:15 a.m. CT) and Facebook live (around 8:30 a.m. CT) every morning where we’ll be discussing each day’s topics more in-depth and you can bring your questions, chat with others, and we can share together what we’re learning! (You can watch today’s Facebook Live video here.)
Day 1 Project
- What are your biggest hindrances keeping you from making your health and well-being a priority? Really think through these and tell us what you think they are in the comments.
- Make a list of things that refill your tank and things that deplete you. Share some of your list in the comments. I’m curious to hear if our lists are similar or very different!
Resources to Check Out:
- Need some further motivation to make you a priority? Read my article on why you should give yourself a time out.
- Pick up a copy of The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, and/or Breaking Busy.
- Want to stop sleep-walking through life? Be sure to grab a copy of my online course, Make Over Your Evenings.
- Read my article on 9 Ways Busy Moms Can Find Time for Quiet in Their Day.
The biggest hindrance is I want to do too many things and am really bad at planning so am always under a lot of stress trying to finish what i started out and never really finishing anything well. Also bad at time management.
Things that energizes is reading good books,hiking with a good friend/husband,planning fun activities for my kids and trying out new activities with my good friends.
Thing that depletes me I realize are things I am soo aware of but just dont get to stop-browsing too late at night and not getting enough sleep,volunteering to do too many things for others,entertaining guests,fighting my with husband and sorting out my kids fights:-(.
This is coming at a perfect time in my life. With a husband deployed right now and being a special needs mom, my self care needs attention.
Things that deplete me: worry, people pleasing, Facebook, too much sugar and caffeine, too little sleep, not taking time to talk to my close people
Things that fill me up: time spent in prayer, reading,music, time playing outside with my two girls, a few minutes in the morning or evening to myself to read (introvert here!☺)
This has been on my mind for the last few months. I work in a private practice and I’ve been working hard to build the patient base. The past few months, the referrals really started clicking. BUT, my self-care totally tanked. I’ve been grumpy, and grouchy, and exhausted, and not eating well. I know WHY it’s happening, but it’s hard to crawl back out and get going on the right things. This is exactly the push I need to just get back to it.
Hindrances are: TIME. It’s about priorities, I know, but as I’ve gotten busier, it has been one of those things that I simply let go. I hope to get more organized and efficient to find the time. Also, I’m learning to delegate some other things that I can.
Perfectionism: I assume that perfectionism means that I have to be the one to do things, that the food has to “look” a certain way or come from a certain store, etc. I need to let these things go so that I can really make health a priority.
Refills: Listening to music; candles burning, walks/hikes with my family, traveling, brunch, coffee by myself or friends, power naps.
Depleters: 7 baseball games in one week; deadlines piling up at work; cumulative sleep loss, focusing on the details to the point of missing the big picture, wasting time on internet or projects that don’t matter, crowds/uncomfortable social situations, having to make phone calls, stressful days looming ahead.
Hindrances:
Not being intentional about time for me.
Time.
Well – this really has me thinking.
What energizes me and what drains? What a question!
I’m literally thinking through this right now…but I want to process this more this evening…
Energizing:
Coffee w/ close friend – sit down relax atmosphere.
“me time” at a coffeeshop (loved Crystal’s idea of Panera)
Getting a room organized and clean
30mins or so of exercise
Dinner out w/ my husband
Helping someone find a solution/partnering
Quiet time – time to focus/reflect/think
Getting to know someone new
Draining:
Constantly cleaning up the same messes (kitchen)
Tending to my kids’ needs
Car rides/Traveling
Household chores
Grocery shopping
Thank you for this – just the other day I was feeling overwhelmed because I had a very long to-do list for the weekend, and didn’t do a lot of it. Instead, I sat in my yard all Saturday afternoon reading a good book! I have no trouble taking time for me, then I feel guilty about it and get angry with myself for not accomplishing more. I am self-employed, have one teenager and a husband. My teenager helps out a lot, but my husband…I hesitate to ask him to do anything, because more often than not, he just doesn’t do it. And then I get angry with him.
Things that keep my from taking care of myself: stress, lack of time, mental exhaustion
Energizers: outdoor activities, exercise, quiet time alone, spending time with Husband or a friend or two
Energy-depleters: my job (very stressful and demanding and requires dealing with difficult people EVERY DAY), not enough margin in the day; having to be “on” a lot – which is a necessary part of my job.
What depletes me? Dealing with being pregnant and having 3 kids under 5! Yelling at my kids, having a dirty house, having FB envy for the mom friends who “do it all” and the friends who have no responsibilities except having a great time.
What replenishes me? I have no idea. -I’d want to say being with friends but I end up coming home more often than not just upset that I don’t do it more often :/ -driving around looking at properties and landscapes and dreaming about the future but then coming home makes me sad that our place isn’t nicer (we rent and with my pregnancy I can’t do much manual labor)
Long story short….how do I figure out what really does replenish me?
My biggest hindrances are: time (I run a small hobby farm where we are working on producing our food), my energy level (approaching menopause here soon, been pre-menopausal for 9 years now), other people’s demands on my time (especially when it infringes on my time that I need to get things done), and my own bend to be lazy in front of Facebook (which can be often depending on what time it is in my month). The things that refill me are time with God, accomplishing tasks, staying on track with my home chores, a clean home, alone time when I need it. Things that deplete me are a dirty house, depression/anxiety, constant demands on my time with no breaks for quiet, drinking one too many glasses of wine (usually the depletion happens the next day, and creates anxiety). I’m sure there are more.
Thanks for this, I’d like to follow along for this 15 days. BTW, I’m really loving to wake up and watch your periscopes, and I’m also going through your “Make Over Your Mornings”. I’m doing the “15 Days” as well so I can save money on the class since I’ve already paid to do MOYM. Enjoying your encouragement. Keep up the good work, Crystal. 🙂
Aw, thank you so much for your kind encouragement, Kristi! I’m so grateful!
What a great series Crystal! I’m going to follow again the best I can because becoming a newly SAHM I think this will really help me set boundaries and be kind to myself!!
I’m an introvert so things that deplete my tank are large crowds, social gatherings, phone calls (I’m half deaf so this is torturous for me), cluttered/disorganized house, and goof ALL the time.
Things that fill my tank is running, early morning quiet with my coffee, watching a show alone, quality time (love language) with hubby, one on one convos with a dear friend, helping people, and being outdoors (pool, beach, park) – something about the sunshine and fresh air is a total must for me!
And I think my biggest hindrances is having two kids and hubby who is a firefighter. I want to serve them and take care of them, but also know I need to take care of myself too!
I’m hard of hearing too, so I feel your pain. I hate having bad hearing, it is so difficult.
Hi Amy! Yes being hard of hearing is difficult. Most difficult part for me now is explaining to my 4 yo why he has to look at mommy when he talks, and why I need him to speak up. I knew it would happen one day, but still doesn’t prepare your heart.
Fortunately I can read lips and we do sign in the house some so there are tools, but it’s definitely something that guides my days.
Wishing you all the best has you navigate your days as well!
Hugs ?
I’ve been working on morning, evening and home routines… I’ve lost weight (need to lose more)… I feel like I’m in a much better place than 2 years ago… what’s in my way – me. I don’t do well when I don’t plan ahead. Biggest issue – not planning food (if not planned, I don’t make good choices – threatens all I’ve accomplished… why is this so hard??) and not really wanting to exercise – I really know that I need to move more.
Energizers: rest and relaxation with friends or alone, with kids (as long as not loud and crazy), time with my husband, good conversation, time with God, a well running, reasonably straight/clean home. At work – a productive day with my team… a good drive home. oh! and laughter!
Drainers: lack of sleep, noise (this covers a lot), most TV (news, violence, plain nastiness), making unending decisions (I’m DONE after work – so dinner really needs to be planned ahead), fear (of failure, harm, etc). At work – days full of many meeting, go, go, go… traffic issues on way home.
Oh where do I begin…I don’t know if I can even tell you what energizes me anymore! Feel like I have lost who I am in this hectic life.I have lived to please others and done this to myself! WorKing at my job was my stress relief believe it or not! Took me away from daily mundane tasks for 8 hours with work to focus on. Due to having a sudden onset of seizures in January I was unable to return to work, doctors wouldn’t release me because they didn’t know the cause and thought my stress at work (mental hospital) maybe too stressful. Been out of work since January and want to find something for myself whether paid or unpaid and can’t think of a thing! My day is filled with taking care of my stubborn father with health issues and won’t cooperate to make himself the best he can be. 3 kids always needing something. Just moved to a new town, not being settled and moving my father out of his house and finding him a new place, he is a hoarder and packing up everything he doesn’t want to part with. Relys on me for everything. Among going through a divorce. My to do list grows daily and nothing feels accomplished ever! I’m constantly drained but don’t have time to stop and rest. I have health issues no doctor seems to understand. I feel like I have weights on my eyelids but not from being tired, I can literally stand up doing something and can’t hold my eyes open. Organizing makes me happy and it needs to be done but don’t have the time…going to try this 15 day plan…I’ll try anything!
Yes! I can relate to this. Home schooling was draining everything I had, and it had to go. Blogging, talking to friends, getting something accomplished, and going for walks energizes me. And my list of drainers, home schooling aside, is exactly like yours.
What hinders me from putting myself first is the pushback from my kids. If I want to go the gym, my son throws a screaming tantrum at the gym because he doesn’t want me to leave. A minute after I leave he is fine, but it’s just exhausting dealing with that scene every time. Also, I’m overwhelmed and hindered by options. What workout is best, what diet is best, should I finish this project for work or take the kids to the park, etc…..
What renergizes me is some totally focused playtime with my kids, a hard workout at the gym, time to knit, a good conversation with my husband or a friend.
Thanks Crystal for your wonderful blog that covers so many topics!!
My biggest hindrance is me. My self-esteem is low after a lifetime of being put down by people who should, theoretically, care about me (father, sister, brother, mother-in-law). I have cut them pretty much out of my life now and am working to rebuild my self esteem. I have lost 35 pounds just by eating “right”, but have yet to start an exercise regimen, although I would really like to. I try to surround myself with people who love me for who I am and don’t constantly point out all my faults.
Refill: Writing. I love to write and have been making the time to do it. I dream of selling an ebook someday, even if I don’t make money at it, I will know that I did it!
Watching the kids play outside with their friends.
Kayaking
Looking at the big picture and not the just right now scene. I’m going to school part time to train for a job in a different field and hopefully, eventually get a better job for myself and family.
Deplete: My mother-in-law. I try to avoid her. I have prayed and prayed for strength in dealing with her, but even my husband telling her to be nice doesn’t work. I get emotionally exhausted just thinking about her. She stops in whenever she pleases and does and says whatever she wants. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks or whose feelings she may hurt by her comments. She has four children and my husband is the only one that still talks to her, he is a tolerant, gently giant, but I think even he is at his limit with her.
Juggling the kids activities, a fulltime job, and school. My husband works an opposite shift of me so I only get help from him on his off days. He works long hours so I try not to ask too much of him, but sometimes I just need a break too.
Your husband is not putting you first if he is allowing this toxic person into your life. That’s your problem, not your mother in law.
So sorry to hear of your relationship with your m-i-l. That occurred for me the first several years of my marriage. Finally, on the advice of our pastor, my husband wrote a letter to his mother and father explaining our need for distance from them. When that didn’t work, the relationship was severed. My husband still sees his parents a couple times a year, but neither our kids nor I have seen them in years. It’s much healthier this way.
Question 1: feeling tired bc busy and running all the time. Stress from kids always wanting attention or something at the moment that I am trying to refill. Time or even just not prioritizing: planning the day well
2: depletes: not reading the Word. Going to bed too late. Missing weekly events or group with friends. Husband working longer or later than usual and not being home as much. Increased stress at work
Refills: reading the Buble or reading a good book. Long hot bath. Go to bed early. Exercise or jogging. Esp in the morning. Getting together with a group of friends. Praying one on one with someone. Having one on one time with hubby. Playing w my kids without worrying about stuff
I am sooo excited about this study!!!! Thank you sooo much!!!
What Fills me Up? Friends, prayer (ing), decorating my classroom, being with my family, music, listening and watching my ‘periscope friends’, getting texts from my friends and sister, making my bed, cleaning, and baking for friends and family………
What Depleats Me? Loud noise, crowds, crying, anxiety, trying to please everyone ( I am a HUGE people pleaser), confrontation, being in a room with people I don’t know…….
Hindrances: Like I said, I am a people pleaser, I want to please everyone and make sure they are alright and taken care off (my job, family, friends, etc.) before I take care of me (health, thinking for myself, etc.)…….
I love how God works in our lives! When there is something that we have desperately needed to work on – and, all at once, He brings all kinds of signs to us that THIS is what we are to work on and focus on NOW. That is how it has been for me lately with taking care of myself … and so your Scope this morning on this was perfect timing! I have just entered the “empty nest” phase of my life and still adjusting. While that seems like I should have all the time in the world now … I am finding myself just exhausted and falling into lazy patterns that I am not happy with.
Depleting for me: 9 hours a day of meetings and multi-tasking to a crazy level; giving and giving and not feeling I am receiving back in relationships; unorganization; trying to change someone (even when I know this is right or even possible!); too much TV; dirty house.
Energizing for me: reading; cleaning; organizing; planning; crafting; massages; learning new things; quietness; time spend with God.
Looking forward to this series – thank you for doing this with us!
I am a stay at home mom to 4 kids. My youngest 3 are under age 5. I have a 4 month old who doesn’t sleep through the night still so I have trouble waking up early, and by the time my hubby gets home from work after 7 usually, I’m too exhausted to work out! My kids’ naps don’t always happen at the same time and when they do I’m busy doing dishes or catching up on chores I’ve fallen behind on. I feel like I literally don’t have time to take care of myself.
Reading and alone time (especially when combined!) really refills my tank.
Long stretches with my kids and no help empties it. Unfortunately 95% of my time is spent doing the latter!
I hate to say it but being with my kids too much depletes me. My biggest hindrance to doing anything for me is that I’m straight up worn out and depressed by the time my husband comes home. I feel like a failure for not being that super energetic mom who has it all together. I work from home part time so any time I actually do get away from my kids is spent working. My work definitely does not refill my tank. It usually just drains it more but for now I have to do it because we need the money.
I know I need to sleep more but I have a child who is a horrible sleeper. Last night she finally went to sleep at 10 and was up at 3:50 this morning. I’d love to nap when she does but with 3 other kids that’s impossible.
Jen, thank you so much for your honesty! Most of the time I feel so alone and like I’m a failure as a parent because I feel like my children drain me. I love them more than anything, but the hours run into days and before I know it I can’t even enjoy them. I also know that when this happens I’m a terrible mom, snapping or yelling at them, or getting angry over the smallest thing. The constant attention demands overwhelm me. I want to spend time with them and make good memories! Not memories of a grumpy mom who is never happy with them!
My biggest hindrance to taking time to focus on myself is probably the time I spend “working.” I say “working” because although I have an 8-4:30 job, It’s almost a two hour commute each way so I’m gone from 6 am to 6:30 pm M-F. I get up at 5 am just to have time to get dressed and get my kids dropped off, and although I usually go to bed by 9 pm each night, I always feel like I’m tired. From 6:30 – 9 is the time I have to cook, eat dinner, give baths, do homework, and spend time with my family, and I feel it’s hard to fit anything else in.
My depleters include disagreements with my hubby and a messy house definitely. I’m not sure what else.
My replenishers include time to myself to read, plan, craft, and going on trips.
Wow, Amber! I will be praying for you! That is a lot of driving! I bet it is the driving that really drains you! It would me…
Wow, we are so alike! Those are definitely my “tank-fillers” as well. Add in coffee and I think it’s a perfect list! The only difference in our “depleters” is that I LOVE being in front of crowds and up on stage. I think it’s the reason God did not bless me with a singing voice – I love it a little too much sometimes, haha!
My biggest hindrance is myself! I choose to spend my time working or zoning out instead of refueling my tank. I’m working hard to take a few minutes each day to sit and enjoy the quiet but it’s definitely something I have to force myself to do. My next goal is to add exercise back in since it seems to be the first thing to go!
Oh, and how funny is this – as I was doing some blog planning today I thought of doing a “healthy habits challenge” and making one week focused on stress reducing/tank refueling habits. How wonderful that the Lord knows we need that and works it in to our minds!
I was the “run 6 days a week girl…. 4-5 miles a day”… I ran through EVERYTHING– colds, the flu, the stomach bug, sinus infections…and I was CONSTANTLY TIRED, but I kept telling myself that running was “healthy” for me… all it was for me (not everyone) was a way to keep the number on the scale from freaking me out (never mind I was NEVER SATISFIED with that number)… then my health TANKED… I spent the entire month of February in the hospital and have spent the last 4 months still recovering… I am anxious to follow this series… is it crazy to say, I’ve gained almost 15 pounds and am probably the “healthiest” I’ve been in 10 years… I bought a size 14 jeans and decided to just rejoice because I could shop, drive my car, take care of my kids, and actually still look pretty decent in those jeans! My husband told me I did too… Healthy for me now means eating 3 meals (still a challenge)…. walking for exercise… and nurturing relationships… I’m energized by time with friends, time in the word, great worship/Christian music, and watching Downton Abbey 🙂 I’m also learning to listen to my body when it says “enough” “I need rest”….
When I first started reading this, I wasn’t sure it pertained to me. I’m generally good about recognizing when I am stressed and need break. I’m good about saying no. What gave me a wake-up call was when I read the first project. Taking care of myself includes my health.
So what are my hindrances?
Fear. Fear of working out and it not helping my weight at all. Fear of not being able to work out hard enough.
Confusion. For example, one article will say I shouldn’t eat bananas because they are high in fructose when the next article will say that I should eat them for the potassium.
Personal issues. I’m allergic to citrus. Raw veggies cause bloating. I’m too tired to cook breakfast in the morning, despite going to bed at 9. My husband comes home so late that I am too tired to cook dinner. By the time I relax from work, I’m afraid to work out because I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep.
What refills my tank? Sleep! Lots of sleep! I think I need too much to fill refreshed. A warm bath. Time reading a book without the TV on in the backgroun.
What depletes my tank? Not getting enough sleep.
As I am reviewing, part of this feels like excuses and part of it feels like I have real obstacles that I don’t know how to overcome.
Do you need more than 9 hours of sleep at night and are you still tired during the day if you get 9+ hours of sleep? If so, you might consider asking a doctor about it (if you haven’t already). It sounds like you’re really fatigued, so it just made me wonder if there were physical issues like a deficiency of some kind or something. I may be totally off base, but it was just what came to mind. I hope that this series will encourage you with practical ideas — especially as others share in the comments, too.
Hi! I just read your post and can totally relate to the exhaustion. I’ve been exhausted my whole adult life. I finally got diagnosed with Chronic inflammatory Response Sydrome from mold and other toxins. This may not be your issue, but if you’re constantly exhausted it might be worth researching a little. Approximately 24% of the population has a succeptability to a biotixin illness, so it is actually not that rare. So sorry you are struggling!! Hugs:)
Hi Crissy – it might not hurt to have your thyroid checked. I have hypothyroidism and it can cause the tiredness/exhaustion you are speaking of if not diagnosed and treated. It is a simple blood test checking the TSH level.
If you’re afraid of not being able to sleep if you exercise after coming home from work, what if you exercise 1st thing in the morning (it might also wake you up after all that blood circulating oxygen to your brain & organs)? Or perhaps you could exercise during breaks at work? [There are some chair workouts that you can use on Youtube for free that you might be able to do at an office chair or you could walk around the building during your break?
If you’re too tired to cook in the morning, what if you premade breakfast the day before when you get home from work or on your day off do a week’s worth and then you can reheat them or they could be premade smoothies that all ready to blend the next morning?
Perhaps you could get your potassium from a different source other than bananas? Healthy high potassium foods include: beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, squash, yogurt, fish, avocados & mushrooms. The current daily value for potassium is 3.5 grams.
Perhaps you could try going to a Sleep Disorder center & doing a sleep study? They might discover that you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea where snoring might wake you many x’s/night without you realizing it leaving you too tired to function the next day.
Or perhaps you could get your blood tested to see if you are anemic where you might need to take iron pills? Perhaps you might need your thyroid checked through a blood test, etc.?
Or perhaps you could get your heart checked through an ultrasound and also rhythm checked through a 24 hr. holter moniter or 30 day event recorder to see if you might have a rhythm disorder that might be causing fatigue (not pumping enough oxygen to rest of body).
Perhaps even a hormone imbalance? There are so many things that can go wrong w/ our body that can cause drowsiness–even medications such as allergy meds.
You might even want to go to an allergist and get tested w/ the pin prick tests on your back to see if you might be suffering allergies that your body is fighting that can wear you down.
Or maybe you can go to an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist to see if you might have an auto immune disorder where your body can attack itself (like Celiac Sprue Disease/gluten intolerance, etc.) that can cause depression and lethargy, etc.. Even depression can cause fatigue.
I hope this helps.I hope the Lord/God helps you. May God bless you now and always. 🙂
If you’re afraid of not being able to sleep if you exercise after coming home from work, what if you exercise 1st thing in the morning (it might also wake you up after all that blood circulating oxygen to your brain & organs)? Or perhaps you could exercise during breaks at work? [There are some chair workouts that you can use on Youtube for free that you might be able to do at an office chair or you could walk around the building during your break?
If you’re too tired to cook in the morning, what if you pre-made breakfast the day before when you get home from work or on your day off do a week’s worth and then you can reheat them or they could be pre-made smoothies that all ready to blend the next morning?
Perhaps you could get your potassium from a different source other than bananas? Healthy high potassium foods include: beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, squash, yogurt, fish, avocados & mushrooms. The current daily value for potassium is 3.5 grams.
Perhaps you could try going to a Sleep Disorder center & doing a sleep study? They might discover that you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea where snoring might wake you many x’s/night without you realizing it leaving you too tired to function the next day.
Or perhaps you could get your blood tested to see if you are anemic where you might need to take iron pills? Perhaps you might need your thyroid checked through a blood test, etc.?
Or perhaps you could get your heart checked through an ultrasound and also rhythm checked through a 24 hr. holter moniter or 30 day event recorder to see if you might have a rhythm disorder that might be causing fatigue (not pumping enough oxygen to rest of body).
Perhaps even a hormone imbalance? There are so many things that can go wrong w/ our body that can cause drowsiness–even medications such as allergy meds.
You might even want to go to an allergist and get tested w/ the pin prick tests on your back to see if you might be suffering allergies that your body is fighting that can wear you down.
Or maybe you can go to an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist to see if you might have an auto immune disorder where your body can attack itself (like Celiac Sprue Disease/gluten intolerance, etc.) that can cause depression and lethargy, etc.. Even depression can cause fatigue.
I hope this helps.I hope the Lord/God helps you. May God bless you now and always. 🙂
hi there – it might be good to have your Dr check your vitamin D level… could be an issue. I have both a thyroid problem and low D… among other things, but the overwhelming fatigue might needs some supplements for help… don’t let it go too long… can lead to pain that’ll keep you down as well. Be well! (I see a chiropractor, I know… some of you would never, but she is a good natural balance to my MD.)
Oh my gosh, I needed to read this! I actually had quite the meltdown yesterday because I haven’t been taking care of myself at all. Right now I think the biggest obstacle is ME! I feel like I can’t relax until I’ve done all the things – like I have to “earn” my downtime somehow, usually by being perfect in all areas of my life. (I hear this is an unattainable goal? Ahem). The things that deplete me are clutter and mess, feeling like I’m under a time limit (usually self imposed, but anyway…), spending time with certain family members, too much noise, and information overload. Things that refresh me are comedy, good books, walks, relaxing with my husband, really being present with my toddler daughter, hot baths, candles, a meal that I didn’t have to prepare for/shop for/cook/clean up from, and thoughtful TV.
I’m *really* looking forward to this series! Thanks!
I can SO relate to this! We sound very similar and I used to be just like you in that I couldn’t enjoy downtime because I hadn’t “earned” it. There’s hope and a way out! I hope that what we talk about over the next 15 days will really encourage you. I’m cheering for you!
Sometimes low energy and low moods keep me from pursuing activities that are healthy from me. Sometimes being overwhelmed by a to do list that is too full keeps me from starting. Sometimes not making a plan for the day ends with me realizing I accomplished nothing at all. My work requires 14-15 hours several days each week and is emotionally and physically draining, which makes it hard to accomplish healthy activity outside of work.
Refills the tank- Daily walks, exploring new places, 1:1 dates with friends
Drains the tank- too much tv, people who gossip or share upsetting news with me emotionally drain me, bad food- excess carbs, sugars, and snacks, large crowds and get togethers with people we don’t know well
I’m drawn to things that drain the tank after too many days of work- I just want to be a hermit and not leave the house or have any plans. Sometimes days pass without any accomplishment. It’s always very stressful to find the balance between pushing myself to do more and extending grace to be able to have a few unscheduled days after a punishing schedule. I wish I could find the motivation to fill those days with healthy, relaxing, energizing activities but making the right choices can be difficult.
I love how self-aware you are here! I hope that as we go through this series, it will be helpful and encouraging and will give you some tools to motivate you to make wise decisions that will benefit you in a big way long-term. You can do this! I’m cheering for you!
I love the idea of this post, but my biggest obstacle tends to be my husband’s unwillingness to be with our children while I would do any of those things. He gets very anxious even almost mean to myself and our children when I request anything beyond the absolutely necessary. My other “babysitters” have to be used for when I am at work, so I really need ideas or other solutions to be able to take care of me. Any advice would help.
Would maybe some of these ideas be a possibility? https://moneysavingmom.com/2015/05/9-ways-busy-moms-can-find-time-for-quiet-in-their-day.html
Also, do you have any breaks at work that you could use to take care of you? Even a 15-minute break that you devote to doing something for you? That would be at least somewhere to start.
I was so needing to read this today…. Being a teacher I run on fumes in April and May and then again in October and December. How exhausting….
This summer I started it off by setting a routine of eating healthy, and getting 5 miles of walking in a day. That’s a lot for me, but do-able when I’m not working. However, I have discovered it really doesn’t take that much time as I thought. So the excuses have to stop on my end. What exhaust me: making dinners that please everyone without complaints, kids homework, lots of noise at home, dirty house, papers in kitchen, medical issues with my son, my children, keeping up with the books/ taxes for my husband’s business.
Energizes me: walking, listening to music, rocking in rocking chair reading, quietness, watching a movie, and painting my toenails. The sad thing is though I don’t get enough alone time which is what I need in my life to get that quietness. I have 2 pre-teens and a very busy husband so I feel like I am on a carousel all the time. Some days I wonder when I get off of it. But I pray each day God let there be a few minutes of quietness for me to rejuvenate. I did read the book this year Breaking Busy which was awesome and helped me in some areas of my life. I keep saying I’m a work in progress.
We’re all a work in progress, aren’t we?? I’m SO proud of you for getting 5 miles of walking in a day!!! Way to go!