Ever asked yourself this question?
So how tired are you? Do your kids get teased in the playground . . .
“Your Mama so tired, the bags under her eyes couldn’t be checked as carry on luggage” @katesaysstuff via Twitter
“You Mama so tired she called someone on the phone and forgot her own name” @Meggsie62 via Twitter
“Your Mama is so tired she dreamt she made dinner!” Sandra via Facebook
“Your Mama is so tired she gave you permission to play on the road!” Tara via Facebook
“Your Mama so tired she drove to the supermarket and left you in the baby capsule at the front door” David via Facebook
Your Mama so tired they’re bottling her blood & selling it to insomniacs” Lucy via Facebook
Yes, we all know motherhood can be tiring! From broken sleep to the mental exhaustion from all day refereeing of bickering siblings. But is your exhaustion more sinister?
When we’re busy looking after everyone else, us mothers are notorious for not looking after ourselves.
I remember watching a wildlife documentary about octopus mothers. She lays her eggs and then guards them around the clock, to the point of no longer eating. When the eggs hatched they showed the mother, a poor specimen of her former self, ready to die. I once felt like that octopus.
Why are we such martyrs? Don’t let this happen to you!!!
There are many causes of fatigue, some easily fixed, others that take a bit more effort and a lot of changes.
For me it was adrenal fatigue and then the resulting depression that drained all my energy. I really want to highlight some warning signals for you so you can figure out if you’re in the “Danger Zone”. The Danger Zone is the point on my roadmap where you don’t want to be.
Some warning signs you might be in the Danger Zone
- Tired for no reason?
- Having trouble getting up in the morning?
- Depending on coffee to keep you going?
- Feeling run down and stressed?
- Dragging yourself through each day?
- Craving salty or sweet snacks?
- Struggling to keep up with life’s daily demands?
- Unable to bounce back from stress or illness?
- Not having fun anymore?
- Experiencing decreased sex drive?
- Simply too tired to enjoy life?
This is a list from Dr Wilson’s Adrenal Fatigue site, but I think they are pretty indicative of whether you’re in trouble or not, regardless of the reason why. Some of these are the same as for depression or chronic fatigue. Whatever the symptoms and whatever the cause, it might be worthwhile talking to your GP. I’m not a medical professional, so my advice does not constitute medical advice, I just want to make sure you get the help you need.
“Crash Testing” our way out of the Danger Zone
Over the next month or so you can expect crash tests to help with
- Improving sleep
- Eating foods that give your energy and avoiding those that don’t!
- Drinking enough water
- Benefits of exercise
- De-stressing
Some of these I’m already doing and will share the results with you. But first we have two more important posts for the Danger Zone over the next two weeks: Distraction/Isolation and Depression. I already mentioned my personal experiences with both briefly. I’ll be exploring them in more depth before we move into Survival Mode. I don’t want to leave anyone behind that should be on this road trip :)
Need a recap on what the Roadmap is all about? Check out my post ‘Roadmap to an easier, happier and healthier motherhood‘.
Are you tired beyond belief? What are some of the signs that you might need to join the ride?
Laney x
Looking forward to hearing the results – for me i get caught in a cycle of late nights (bad mommy!). the best things for me are drinking lots of water, eating well and earlier bedtime to get more of the deep sleep – hope you are starting to feel better hon xx
Deb @ Home life simplified’s last post..Resources for bloggers
I love your road map! I remember the first two years of being mummy were a constant blur of fatigue and literally dragging myself through each day!
It is better now, but far from perfect
This year, I am taking charge too – seeking some professional help for some migraines (that render me asleep for two days) – no more battles – I need to get on a road map to a better healthier me!
xx
Josefa @always Josefa’s last post..Kinnie
Great idea! I have depression and anxiety, so these are familiar feelings for me. Unfortunately with a toddler and a five-month-old and soon back to working full-time (I’m on mat leave until March 4), exhaustion is inevitable. I do have faith it will get better though, and that keeps me going.
Visiting from IBOT.
Azara’s last post..Blank walls
I used to be tired all the time. Now that I am exercising more frequently, I don’t seem to get as tired? I don’t know if it’s because I’m more active so my brain is more active or if it’s that I sleep better because I am wearing myself out? We also have early EARLY starts here, so by 9-9:30 pm I’m wiped and go to bed. I don’t try to fight it any more! I’m lucky I’ve got a kid who sleeps from 7pm-at least 5:30 every night.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset’s last post..“Kool” Kids or “Smarter” Kids?
A friend of mine used to say that ‘tiredness is a state of mind’. When G was a newborn I phoned her up and said that I was 100% sure that her theory was a load of crap. Parenting is exhausting!
Catherine Rodie Blagg’s last post..Snow joke, Sydney!
Some great reminders here Laney – and definitely a reminder for me to protect my sleep (aside from puppy pit stops!) and not take on too much. Look forward to reading more, as always x #teamIBOT
Lyndal’s last post..the list files – snapshot of life
This is a great post Laney, I honestly still feel mentally tired every single day, maybe not physically but it’s the constant demands from others that I struggle to keep up with. I totally need to join the ride, can’t wait to read more!
Emily @ Have a laugh on me’s last post..Where is the best place to bring up kids?
Tired, oh so tired, and overemotional, and feeling sick of being “vaguely unwell” I booked into the doctors when I fainted during heart palpitations. Silly silly me, very anaemic and not enough blood volume, this change of meds and a whopping dose of iron tablets daily, and getting on the right track for being healthy again
Oh no. Fainting is not good at all. I’m glad you’re getting on to it though. Good luck with those iron levels.
All very familiar here too Laney! I know for me that eating well, exercising and keeping myself busy with things I enjoy is key, it’s just having the energy to do that consistently, lol. Quite a vicious cycle it is! Looking forward to following along xx
It can seem like a vicious cycle can’t it. Having to exercise when you feel tired to prevent you becoming more tired!
I am beyond exhausted. Tired, stressed all of the above. It is driving me crazy. I’ve stopped drinking coffee because I found it just makes you more tired. Lots of water and exercise helps.
Alex aka Whoa Mumma’s last post..Putting Your Kids Funny Baby Pictures On The Internet – My Two Cents
Tired and stressed is not a great combo. Good on you for giving up the coffee. I love the taste so have settled for decaf. Water and exercise are so important. When I’m good with drinking enough water it makes a hue difference to my energy levels.
Sometimes I am so tired I can’t even open the lid on coffee jar.
Oh Amy! Skip the coffee, it’s stealing your energy in the long term ;)
Hmmm…. I am feeling really tired all the time at the moment… I have started taking iron and exercising more, hoping once I get my head around school and work and life, I will get some spark back…
Where does watching world class tennis until late at night fit into this road map? *wink* Looks like you have seen some AWESOME games!
B’s last post..If Project: Finding New York:: Cafes
A little detour for me last night! But good quality sleep is my first priority. I’ll be sharing what I’m trying soon. I hope you start getting some energy back soon :)
That list of adrenal fatigue looks horribly familiar, and the worst thing is when you are there it all seems so sensible and normal. Of *course* you need a coffee and something sugary to get through that huge to-do list, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get sleep.
I managed to simplify my life a few years back and it was wonderful but now I’m 10 week’s pregnant and the fatigue is back in force. I’m a bit worried with how I’ll cope so i’m looking forward to the rest of this series.
Sceptimum’s last post..“I wish I could be pregnant forever and ever and ever…”
Thankfully I’m not so tired these days. Unless it’s been particularly stressful, I do ok. But I get that so many women are the opposite
Look forward to hearing more
EssentiallyJess’s last post..On Confessions and Knob Heads
Such a brilliant post, so informative about something that so many mums think is normal. For me it was a mixture of late nights and postnatal depression that would keep my up worrying all night. Once I got that under control everything got better, Little Mr.6 month old still wakes 3 hourly to feed9Oh joy) but im no where near as tired as I used to be!
Kate’s last post..T is for . . . Teething cookies
Tired….. I think that’s the most common word in my volcabulary.
Mady’s last post..Sentimental Summer ~ Beach Lovin’