Why Am I So Tired?
By Catharine Walkinshaw

Why Am I So Tired? By Catharine Walkinshaw, Herbal Consultant and Reiki Practitioner Daytime fatigue is very common problem and can be due to several factors: • Stress and overwork • Too little or poor quality sleep • Hormonal imbalances Stress and overdoing are common causes of fatigue. Americans are working more hours, adding extracurricular activities, and sleeping less. The body wears out, especially as we grow older. We take little time to “smell the roses” or enjoy the moment. Health experts recommend one day a week to recover and spend quality time with our loved ones – like the Sabbath. If we left one day a week for rest, we’d be more awake the other six. Sleep problems obvious lead to fatigue during the day. While we sleep our bodies repair and detoxify. Keep a consistent bedtime and de-stress before bed. Listen to soft music, read, take a warm bath, or drink a warm, non-caffeinated beverage. Television or computer work near bedtime actually disrupts sleep. Sleep apnea, a medical condition whereby blood oxygen levels drop due to impeded airways, can also lead to daytime fatigue and is best diagnosed and treated by a physician. Hormonal imbalances cause daytime fatigue. Ironically drinking too much caffeine accelerates rather than resolves fatigue. Our adrenal glands are already stressed, and drinking coffee for energy leads to adrenal exhaustion. Chinese practitioners call this “beating a tired horse to run faster.” Eventually thyroid problems develop. Hormonal imbalances are also best dealt with by a healthcare professional, however, you can prevent them from happening by not always using an extra latte to keep you going. Try water instead. In a recent study, dehydration was the number one reason for afternoon fatigue. Nourish the adrenals and entire endocrine system by eating a healthy diet (with lots of onions/garlic/ginger) and exercising regularly. A healthy diet can resolve fatigue. Using sweets for energy is tempting, but this leads to blood sugar crashes – after the quick energy burst we feel even more tired. Eating frequent, small amounts of healthy snacks with enough protein keeps blood sugar levels even and reduces sluggishness. If you feel particularly tired after eating, you might have a food intolerance or allergy that needs to be dealt with. Inactivity actually increases fatigue. Being a couch potato breeds more lethargy and low energy. The best way to combat daytime fatigue is to get on a regular exercise program, especially when the weather is cloudy and rainy. Seasonal depression is a real problem in our climate. It’s rare to find anyone who isn’t lamenting about the weather these days. However, feeling grumpy and tired can be combated even in our climate by getting some amount of natural light each day. Even a short walk in the rain helps. Some people use full spectrum lighting in their homes or workplaces when they can’t get enough natural sunlight and this boosts their energy. Medications are notorious for fatigue and sleep disruption side effects. Contact your healthcare professional to check this out. It’s also important to get a full check-up to rule out any more serious reasons for daytime fatigue. Experiencing daytime fatigue is a signal to make changes before burning out. While the causes are multi-faceted, the solutions are the same for any chronic health condition: living a healthy lifestyle incorporating good nutrition, adequate water, regular exercise, fresh air, stress and caffeine reduction, and good quality sleep.

Holistic health and herbal consultations
Nutrition counseling
Herbs and supplements
Reiki (healing touch) therapeutic sessions
Kinesionics therapeutic sessions