Managing Exhaustion
We need energy to manage each day and we need a different level of energy to sleep. When running on empty, everything feels like a struggle. There are many reasons we reach the point of exhaustion.
How to rebuild energy levels.
We might be physically depleted, needing nourishment from food high in prana (dehydration can also make the body feel depleted.) Food high in prana is fresh in season choices. The more colour on the plate the better.
We may not be breathing very well, therefore low in oxygen and imbalanced levels of carbon dioxide. I have an audio guidance blog to help 3 Stages of Meditation Prep
Emotional experiences can feel like a drain on our whole being if not managed well. I highly recommend the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Courses offered to rural families, often funded. Over thinking and lack of focus also leaves us exhausted. The MBSR courses also bring a high level of awareness to our thinking habits.
Feeling alone and unsupported can be a main reason we have no energy. Sometimes just knowing others have your back, makes the world of difference. The problem with this, if you are anything like me, is the tendency to isolate when you don't feel great. More recently I have started to reach to friends or family if I am having a hard time (2026 has certainly thrown me some big health challenges that literally came out of the blue.)
I used to avoid being a burden to others, not wanting to sound 'negative' when my life wasn't flowing well but true friends actually prefer honesty. Holding concern on our own is a heavy burden to carry. A part of any good health plan is connection. In fact recent studies show it is actually an essential element to well being. A study on the impact of loneliness on health and another link Reaching out if you feel alone
A note about time - Feeling time poor.
There are stages of life that feel quite overwhelming, high in responsibility or stress. Perhaps you are putting everyone else first. I think we can all relate to this. It is easy to make other people and situations a higher priority than your own needs.
My tip is to ask yourself what you need most. Choose a focus point or theme for the day. Maybe you could benefit from some stretching during the day, more water, an afternoon deep relaxation for 20 minutes or a more mindful approach to the day. Caring for yourself can be managed in small steps. This care, refills empty energy tanks, step by step.
The nervous system drain
Life shouldn't feel exhausting all of the time. Our nervous systems are activated throughout the day and each time this happens, we must return to calm again. Otherwise our bodies are running on adrenaline all day. This is depleting. Breathing well, shaking and stretching tension from the body, good posture, an exercise break like a walk and meditation all help reset the nervous system, conserving energy. (more blogs to come on this important topic)
Sleep
The main issue with low energy can be poor sleep, leaving us completely and utterly exhausted. Do you know that frustrated feeling of tossing and turning all night, only to see the sun coming up? Have you experienced the concern, about how you are going to manage the days juggle of responsibilities?
Look out for my next blog, as I will offer some ideas around how to work on improving sleeping patterns. I will add an audio guidance to this blog as well. Managing sleep is like practicing anything, it is an ongoing and even changing part of self care.
A main part of the problem, in my experience, is dealing with the frustration of being awake when we don't need to be. Also managing a busy mind is a challenge at night. The other interesting thing is something I mentioned at the beginning this blog - We actually need energy to sleep, believe it or not.
Stay tuned, more info to come!
Narelle Hunter
