ALWAYS on the go and always shattered? It can feel like everything falls to you and that’s why you never seem to have any time to take a break and recharge.
But something else might be throwing off your energy levels, especially if you’re a woman.
GettyYou might not be overdoing – your cycle and relationship could be making you feel that tired[/caption]
It’s not normal or ok to feel utterly exhausted all of the time, no matter how busy you are or how demanding your work and kids are.
If you’re eating well, getting enough sleep and exercise and still feel lacking in pep, it’s worth speaking to your GP about what can be done.
Your relationship, iron levels and sex life might also be playing a part. Here’s what to be aware of, according to the experts…
1. You’re lacking in iron
“One of the most common causes for feeling tired and low in energy that I see with my clients is iron deficiency anaemia,” says Eli Brecher, nutritionist and founder of Eli Brecher Nutrition.
“Iron is required to create red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body.
“Anaemia is particularly common in women of childbearing age, and is typically resolved with iron supplements.”
Eli adds that consuming iron-rich foods can also help, including dark leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu and red meat.
“Too much iron can be harmful to your health, so you should only supplement with iron following a blood test confirming that your iron levels are below the normal range.”
2. You’re not working with your menstrual cycle
If you’re a menstruating female, women’s empowerment mentor, Fiona McCoss says that you’re not designed to be ‘on it’ all the time.
“We are expected to function all hours, seven days a week, often while mothering children.
“Realistically our energy isn’t ‘on’ always, it’s cyclical, it comes in waves depending on where we are in our menstrual cycle and our life cycle.”
Fiona adds: “Start to learn the different phases and energies of your menstrual cycle so you can better plan for your days/weeks/months.”
If you have a huge work meeting and your period is due on any day, Fiona says it will feel 100 times harder than if you were to schedule it for two weeks later.
“If you have a sexy date night to plan for, you’ll feel much more up for it on days six to 14 than on days 20 to 28.
“The more you learn to work with your body and its natural energy rhythms, the easier you will go through life, and with much more enjoyment!”
3. You’re faking it
Not that kind of faking it! Fiona says that commonly, women who struggle to express themselves authentically find themselves playing the Good Girl and/or the People Pleaser, “sacrificing their truth for the sake of someone else’s comfort”.
“In denying your true expression and desires – in fear of being abandoned, judged, or rejected, at a subconscious level – adds up to considerable energy depletion over time.
“You are waking up every day and pretending to be someone you’re not and putting on a smile and faking it,” says Fiona.
She recommends checking in and asking yourself if you’re being truthful to yourself.
“The more authentic you can be, the less energy you have to spend pretending to be someone you’re not.”
4. Having unintentional sex
“Sex is an energetic exchange, woven in with emotions, spirit, and the physical body,” says Fiona.
“Be careful of who you choose to go to bed with,” says Fiona, who adds that sex is an ‘energetic exchange.’
“There is nothing wrong with having sex with lots of people if that’s what you’re into, but make sure these choices are conscious and don’t leave you with a shame hangover the next day and spiral you into an energy vortex of doom.”
She adds: “Sex is supposed to energise, connect, and awaken you! Not the other way round.
“And always make sure if it’s not a full yes, it’s a no. Even a maybe is a no.”
5. You’re in a toxic relationship
Whether it be a romantic relationship, a friendship or a work relationship, if you feel that you’re being disrespected or controlled, then it can have a real impact on your energy resources.
“Any situation that results in emotional stress can affect your energy levels,” reveals Ella McCrystal, Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Mindset Coach.
“When the emotional brain rules, we can experience the fight or flight response more often than is needed.
“This is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening.
“The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee,” explains Ella.
She adds that there’s a difference between the emotional brain and the analytical brain.
“The emotional brain is connected to every area of the brain, whereas the analytical brain is not.
“The emotional brain is considered to have executive power in the brain, which means it influences decision-making, thought processes, memories, and present experiences.”
Stop and think. Is it time to assess your toxic relationship or situation?