Are you wondering why you are feeling so tired lately? Do you feel less motivated, lacking energy and unable to get excited about life?
In most cases during lockdown, people’s lives have slowed down, and with fewer external demands on our time, you may imagine that we are all feeling rested. Despite the slower pace, it seems that quite the opposite is true.
When the term fatigue is applied to materials like metal, it’s described as something that is caused by 'repeated variations of stress'. What better way to describe the cause of our worn condition? Given we are currently under stress in so many directions, it is no wonder we can’t easily pick up our energy levels and forge ahead.
What are the possible causes?
Lately, a combination of stress, anxiety and late-night box-set escapism has meant we are all likely to be neglecting the one thing that can heal us the most. Longer-term sleep-deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
What can we do to help ourselves?
With all the ongoing low-grade anxiety in our lives, it’s no wonder we aren’t sleeping too soundly. To function well, we need good quality sleep and that requires good sleep ‘hygiene habits’.
Being constantly on edge or in a heightend state of alert is energy-sapping. Our raised anxiety levels require a lot more effort, which burns more energy. We are exhausting ourselves looking for danger and fearing the worst. This is further compounded by our thirst for information; the rolling influx of stories on Social Media and news alerts pinging on our devices at every hour of the day.
When was the last time you looked ahead and felt excited? With all the events we had planned put on hold or cancelled it’s hardly any wonder we may feel we’ve lost our mojo.
Without the ability to move towards our goals, it can feel hopeless. Modern life has exaggerated our carrot and stick mentality, but with no carrot to chase what inspires us to keep going?
Be kind to yourself, when we are low in mood, everyday tasks can feel like an uphill struggle. Simple daily practices are the easiest way to bring life back into focus.
Virus or no virus, we can all take steps to improve our wellbeing for life.
To keep track of your wellbeing you can join the Five Ways Challenge an essential self-care framework that reminds us of all we can do, rather than what we can’t.
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