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There’s nothing worse than feeling drained of energy, so you don’t have the get up and go to do the things you want. I’ve definitely felt like that at certain periods during the year. But what I’ve come to learn is that instead of pushing onwards, we often need to take a step back and think what is our body trying to tell us? Because feeling constantly drained and exhausted is NOT normal! It’s important to see your doctor first if you’ve been feeling unwell to rule out any illness or nutritional deficiencies, but here’s some other factors that could be playing a part.
So what could your body be telling you when you’re feeling tired and lethargic? Here’s a few places to start:
1. Sleep
Of course, the first place to look when you’re feeling tired is your sleeping habits. Most people need at least 8 hours, but you’ll know yourself if you need more, or can function well on 6 hours. High quality sleep is vitally important for memory, metabolism, your mood, a strong immune system and also some hormonal functions. If you’re skimping on sleep, now is the time to make getting enough sleep a priority. Set a regular bed time, keep your room dark and avoid caffeine after 12pm.
2. Your diet
I know when I eat too many sugary/refined foods I start to feel a bit blah. Keep your diet based on whole foods with lots of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and low in added sugars and you’ll feel better for it. If you don’t eat red meat, make sure you get plenty of other sources of iron as iron deficiency can be a common cause of low energy in women. If you think this could be an issue for you, see your GP who can do a blood test to check your iron levels.
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3. Drinks
As well as what you eat, what you drink can have a big impact on your energy levels. While you might think caffeine will boost your energy levels, too much can have the opposite effect, leaving you feeling anxious and jittery rather than energized. Alcohol is another thing to consider. Because alcohol must be processed by the liver, too much can leave you feeling sluggish. Alcohol also drains B vitamins from the body which are important for energy levels. Be sure to drink lots of water, and limit coffee to 1-2 cups a day.
4. Exercise
I love this one – it has so many benefits, including helping with energy levels. Our ancestors were active people, we weren’t designed to sit around all day. Be sure to schedule regular exercise into your week and you’ll notice a difference in your energy levels.
5. Mood
A big energy sapper is depression or low mood. While it’s natural to go through high/low periods, if you’ve been feeling low for a while, and have lost your zest for life, make an appointment to see your GP.
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