Do you feel like you wake up in the morning still run down needing coffee to get you going? And when your tank is empty, you’re reaching for the next cup of Joe? You aren’t alone. So many of my clients tell me they feel unrested after a full night of sleep. As soon as they wake up, they need coffee to think. Then they have an afternoon slump, and the coffee gets them going again.
Or maybe it isn’t coffee that gets you going. Maybe it’s Diet Coke. Whatever it is, once it hits, only then do you feel like you can tackle the day.
Continue reading below or watch my video for natural treatments for your tiredness.
Effects of Tiredness
If you’re like many of the women I support, you may be struggling to find the energy necessary to live your life, parent your children, do your work, and/or enjoy your existence and the beautiful life you’ve built.
I know that energy isn’t likely the only challenge you’re facing with your health, but it’s a critical component for tackling other issues in a productive and lasting way. When you don’t have energy, you feel irritable and anxious more easily, make health and lifestyle choices you wouldn’t normally make, and are more prone to the effects of autoimmune disease and chronic pain. Reclaiming your life seems to move further and further away, compounding frustration and despair.
There is a path to health and well-being, and it starts with addressing your fatigue.
What Causes Tiredness
Tiredness can have several different causes including sleep disturbances, autoimmune diseases, anxiety, nutrient deficiencies, and more. You may have one or more cause, further compounding the tiredness and chronic fatigue. As a functional dietitian, I help you search deeper and ask why are you having those causes in the first place. Those aren’t the root cause, they are just a symptom of what’s happening deeper.
Each person will have their own individual root causes for chronic tiredness and fatigue. Working with a functional dietitian/nutritionist (like me!) will help you find your unique causes and will help you heal.
Natural Treatments for Chronic Fatigue
The good news is, chronic fatigue and tiredness is just a symptom and there is healing. You can find energy again, but it will take living intentionally. These are my three tips for gaining more energy and reclaiming your life:
Nutrition for Chronic Fatigue
Life and death is at the end of your fork. The food you choose to eat can either bring health and vitality or can bring tiredness and pain, you get to decide. Nutrition for chronic fatigue begins with eating real food and then balancing your plate. I’m not a fan of counting macros…that becomes your life. But I am a fan of eating real food and balancing your macros. I tell my clients to fill half their plate with non-starchy veggies, one quarter with protein and one quarter with starch. You can then tailor it from there depending on how you feel when you have accomplished that balance.
Be Intentional With Your Time
Being intentional and living intentionally is important to improving your health. It means you are doing it on purpose…not just trying. Trying is usually half-hearted. But being intentional is putting all your effort into it. Goals are accomplished with intentionality.
When you become intentional with your time, you may find you waste a lot of time on unproductive activities that drain your physical and/or emotional energy (uhh that darn social media). Removing those activities and changing how you spend your time can give you the energy boost you’re needing.
Improving Sleep Habits
We all know, sleep is so important in gaining energy. Your sleep needs to be productive, just like your time. If it isn’t productive, you feel unrested, setting you up for a whole day of tiredness and irritability. Create a sleep routine each day to get the best night’s sleep. Start by getting outside in the sunshine early in the morning, staying active during the day, stopping caffeine drinks after your morning drink, turning off all electronics an hour before you want to be asleep, and sleeping in complete darkness.
There is healing and a life filled with energy when you find the answers you’re looking for. If you need more help, sign up on my website to receive my free guide, The Energy Elixir and finally conquer your fatigue and reclaim your life.
