Motivate your mind

Do you struggle to find the motivation to successfully achieve your daily tasks?
Are you tired in the morning and wide awake at bedtime?
You may follow a healthy diet, feel as though you’re doing all of the right things, yet still feel tired most of the time.
Perhaps you crave salty foods.
Do you have difficulty coping with stress?
Are you sensitive to light and often feel the need to wear sunglasses outside?
Have you been to the doctor and come away none the wiser?
Does everything just feel like too much of an effort?

If you have a constant feeling of tiredness, it is near impossible to perform to the best of your ability.  There are a number of lifestyle factors that can cause extreme tiredness, such as a stressful event that you have struggled to cope with, recovery from an illness, a house move or a new baby.  However, if you can’t pinpoint a reason and are simply feeling tired all of the time (TATT), it is a sign that something is wrong.  It’s important to listen to your body and take action.
Your adrenal glands give your body a helping hand in stressful situations, whilst managing your blood sugar levels.  Too much stress, inadequate sleep and a diet high in sugar will put a strain on your adrenals, causing this continued tiredness.

Take some time out
The first issue to address is that you could be spending too much time racing around in the Red Zone and not enough time recuperating in the Green Zone – read more in our newsletter “What Zone are You In?”  In today’s society, many of us push ourselves too far and feel that we cannot allow time to stop.  But be warned, if you don’t take a little time out of your busy schedule to recharge your batteries, TATT could develop into chronic fatigue and your body will be forced to shut down, with recovery taking months.

Step away from the sugar
It’s hard to avoid the sugary and processed foods that continuously tempt us and we often turn to comfort eating when life gets a bit too much.  We might think that a bar of chocolate or a slice of cake will cheer us up, but the short term sugar hit will turn into a sudden energy slump, caused by your adrenals trying to manage your blood sugar levels.
You know it’s not good for you, but you can’t seem to stay away and this is usually an emotional reaction, as opposed to a physical addiction.  Focus on looking after your body and in turn you will focus your mind.

Kath’s tips for motivating your mind

• If you are feeling tired all the time, the first step is to establish whether it’s a medical condition.  Get yourself checked out.
• Look at what could be causing your stress; is it a temporary strain or is a lifestyle change necessary? If you are heading in the direction of burnout it’s time to slow down.
• Take a step back and think about what your body needs. Give yourself some time to relax in the Green Zone.
• Don’t feel guilty and take 40 winks.  A little power nap during the day could do you the world of good.
• Make sleep a priority and try to get an early night when you can; get to sleep before that second wind kicks in late evening.
• Look at your diet and watch your sugar intake.  Try to eliminate wheat and dairy for just three weeks you’ll be amazed at the difference.  Cut right back on refined foods such as bread, pasta, cakes and biscuits and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Include some protein in your breakfast and your energy levels will sustain right through to lunchtime.
• Keep well hydrated throughout the day and try to drink a glass of water every hour or two.
• Remember Friday night is your Epsom Bath Salt night!