Exhaustion, tiredness, fatigue, lethargy. Whatever name you give it in your own mind, a chronic lack of energy is way too common these days. In fact, as a holistic health practitioner, "Why am I so tired" is one of the most frequent questions people ask!
With that in mind, let's explore some surprisingly obvious yet frequently overlooked reasons for that zapped-out feeling. We'll also consider some "natural cures" to get you back to feeling your best!
Today, we'll start with awareness. How does a person recognize that their energy is low?
No, I'm not kidding.
It can be surprisingly easy to overlook or misread the early signals of energy-drain. You see, once a person reaches the stage of being completely exhausted, they are usually painfully aware that something is wrong. Yet there are often subtle signs that preceed catastrophe. The trick is to learn how to recognize them!
We humans are great compensators. When your energy begins to drop, your first thought is not necessarily going to be, "I am losing energy. Time to plug the leak!" Instead, if you're like most people, you will try accomodate the condition and/or do what you can to make yourself feel better. Of course that may lead to other problems. Most of the time, it's better to catch on early.
Early signals that your life-force energy is becoming depleted:
* You are less tolerant than usual when it comes to other peoples' quirks and mistakes.
* You notice that your posture sags, you slouch, your upper back and neck feel tight.
* You notice yourself yawning a lot in the afternoons.
* You find yourself reaching for caffeine or sugar to get some energy; for alcohol or prescribed medications to "relax" or shut off your mind.
* It feels harder than ever to get out of bed in the morning.
* You dread going to work, hearing the phone ring, or even leaving the house.
* You find yourself avoiding or dreading contact with certain people. They seem difficult to be around.
* You, a person who normally takes pride in your appearance, find yourself out in public looking "rumpled."
* You, a fastidious housekeeper, find yourself mired in clutter and dust.
* Although you feel tired in the evenings, you delay going to bed because there is so much to do. Yet you are too tired to actually complete many of the activities you're staying up for.
* You have a vague sense of being trapped by some condition in your life.
* You notice you're not as happy or joyful as you used to be. Life may even seem like a burden.
As you've read down this list, perhaps you'll think of some other signals of being ill at ease, whether they're examples from your own experience or things you've observed in others. Please add them in to the comments section below. Your thoughtfulness may help someone else.
As you tune in to what's going on at the early stages of energy discord, you're able to take positive steps to bring balance and joy back into your life. When things are well, you will feel happy, enjoy your encounters with other people, feel pleasantly challenged and rewarded by your daily work or activities, and be comfortable in your body. As this article series continues, that's exactly where we're headed!
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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