Distinct lack of energy...

[ina]

Does anybody have a good, new ideas on how to energise myself?

And with new I mean - I know all about proper nutrition etc... I could do with more exercise, I know that, too - but I don't have the energy for it. Grrrrr. What I really want is a wonderdrug, I suppose! One that makes me sleep well when I go to bed, and makes me be full of vim when I get up in the morning.

[QuizMaster]

What you need is a gentleman companion.

[Ratty]

Iron? If you're slightly anaemic then you feel like that. Hope you feel much better soon x

[QuizMaster]

Sorry, that first reply of mine wasn't exactly helpful.

Another thing to watch out for is B12 levels.
Vegetarians are subject to depressed levels of B12, which can cause lethargy.
Worth checking out.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Hop extract and milk thistle. I used to swear by these when I was spending much of my time travelling and as a consequence was more-or-less in a permanent state of jetlag. Hop extract seems to help sleep and the milk thistle aids the liver in de-crapping the body. That and avoiding caffine after 2pm and alcohol after 8 (assuming an 11pm trip to Bedfordshire).

[ina]

What you need is a gentleman companion.

Thanks, QM. Send one along, if you see a spare one knocking about.


I've been tested for iron on various occasions, and for all sorts of other things - but the docs seem to think there's nothing wrong with me... But still - you've reminded me, I actually have some (liquid) iron supplement in the cupboard; must get that out again.

I take multivits and minerals almost daily - but extra B12 might be an idea... Haven't tried that one yet! And hops and milk thistle are a good idea, too. I often have trouble sleeping, which of course makes me feel awful during the day.

Thanks for all your brilliant tips - keep them coming!

[eccentric_emma]

I know you said you feel too tired for exercise but literally doing ten starjumps may be enough to wake you up a little further to be able to do some more. I have a little trampoline thingimy and I tend to bounce for a songs worth on there and that really wakes me up. Or if I'm at work and feeling drowsy, just do a few starjumps and arm swings and whatnot to get my blood moving again. Tends to work in the short term at any rate.

Hope you get more energy soon!

[Milims]

I find that 10 mins of yoga in the morning is a really good way to wake up and energise. The only thing is I don't do it as often as I should 'cos I'm just not a morning person!!

[CaundleMama]

I had fallen into a habit of bleating I had no time for excercise & didnt have the energy to do it if I did I had some hard talking from a pal & decided it was now or never,baby steps,I had to start somewhere so I got on my bike & rode down to the corner,by time got in I could hardly walk & slept like a log I went out the evening after etc etc & built my way up & now can cycle the route in 30mins & before it was taking over an hour & I was having to get off & walk loads,I have now even started running hah me & running are not two words that go together trust me but I am doing it! luckily theres noone round to see me

I have lost over a stone & have soooooooooooooooo much more energy its untrue,before I was breathless getting up to the attic room am waffling.........
my point is,do tiny tiny things to start with,it has such a knock on effect its astonishing I have never had so much energy & more to the point never slept so well.

Find whats going to inspire you & then go for it!

[eccentric_emma]

Yes, the small steps really help and in quite unexpected ways. My husband cut right down on meat for various reasons (mainly cost, and i dont eat it and insist on separate pans etc), and found that he can wake up a lot more easily in the mornings (before he would regularly sleep in past 12 if he didnt have to do anything but on his day off yesterday he got up at the same time as i was up for work.)

[ina]

Thanks for all your input. You are all perfectly right, of course; but it's partly a mental thing (not being able to get going). QM wasn't so far out with saying what I need is a gentleman companion. What I really need is somebody around to kick butt when necessary, so I do these little steps that would help me so much...

Sun is shining this morning, and that helps, too.

[jim]

Dear Ina,

Try drinking loads of water, don't buy it for goodness sake, just ordinary drinking water. Most of the human brain is H2O anyway and it works with classes of primary kids.

Another that works with them and might help you is "Brain Gym" check out www.braingym.org
http://esl.about.com/od/englishlessonpl ... aingym.htm

Hope it helps

Love and Peace
Jim

[Thomzo]

A few years back ,when my ex left, I was really down. I was very overweight and unfit. I did the baby steps thing. I forced myself to walk to the next bus stop, and then the next etc. Until suddenly I was walking all the way to work (about 2 miles).

At the time I worked on the 3rd floor. I couldn't even walk up one flight of stairs when I started there but within about 3 months I could easily walk up all the way several times a day.

It wasn't long before I realised that when I was down and depressed, the one thing that would cheer me up was going for a walk. Even in the rain, I'd just put a big coat on and get out in the fresh air. If I couldn't sleep then I'd get up at 3am and go for a walk.

But do try the liquid iron too. I had blood tests for aneamia (sorry can't spell that one). The test came back OK and the doc just put me on antidepressants. When I went to an acupuncturist she said I had all the classic symptoms of aneamia and told me to take iron supplements. They worked really well especially combined with the exercise and fresh air.

Keep at it. And don't beat yourself up if you feel down. Just focus on the good days and forget the bad.

Good luck
Zoe

[ina]

Thanks, all of you. I'm taking the iron - and it does seem to help a bit already. Once, when I went to give blood, they told me I was "borderline" with my iron content; but the docs always seem satisfied I'm ok... Oh well. And maybe, once the weaning of the lambs is over and it's a bit quieter at night, I'll be able to get some sleep, too!

[sleepyowl]

Indian head massage is good, playing on the Wii is also good (you don't even need to be good at computer games to play on it), check what your pancreas is doing (as diabetics can lack energy), listen to UK hardcore (espresso for the ears), fresh air & gentle exercise.

If all else fails take stimulants (only joking)