tips for dealing with exhaustion
Last week I gave my first ever speech to a lecture theatre full of students, adults, lecturers and even some men (I know I couldn’t believe it either).
To say I was petrified was the understatement of the century. In the last year I’ve learnt that the thing within us that enables us to cope with stressful situations is something that was never engrained in me. I generally just struggle with coping. So as I arrived at my old University and met with the people who would be looking after me on my visit. I began to “not deal on an epic scale” to the point where, when one of the University staff was telling me I would be fine, I genuinely started feeling my throat burn and tears prickling the backs of my eyes. I was close to crying, “What are you 5 years old? Pull yourself together Lydia!”
Once the speech was over (which obviously didn’t go as bad as I envisioned) I felt this wave wash over me like nothing I had ever felt before. That wave was pure exhaustion. I arrived at my parents house and by dinner time I was falling asleep at the table. But there was no time to stop and deal I had bookings, meetings and deadlines.
Finally it all caught up with me and before my flight to Ibiza I suffered one of my worst panic attacks to date.
I made a vow with myself right there and then to never let that happen again. So as more of a reminder to myself than anything else I’ve put together tips for preventing, treating and dealing with exhaustion.
Sleep in
It’s something that I genuinely fear, the thought of sleeping the day away. Losing precious working hours. But sometimes you need to switch off the alarm and let your body rest until it’s ready to wake by itself. I knew I needed it when I missed a complimentary yoga class at sunrise in Ibiza, I mean if that isn’t the ultimate sacrifice I don’t know what is! Obviously you don’t want to sleep in every day but be sure to allow for it when you need it. Routine is just as important as rest.
Have Boundaries
This is something I am currently struggling with and surely will for the foreseeable future. Right now it’s 21:28 and I am still working. It’s safe to say if they had asked me to work this late in my old job I’d have told them where they can shove it. But my job doesn’t feel like work, my job is my life, in fact my job isn’t a job at all, it’s a lifestyle. So I’m currently attempting to give myself time to switch off, funnily enough yoga sessions aren’t meant for Snapchatting.
Time out
Whether it’s to simply take a breather or scheduling in some daily meditation (see post here), wherever possible step back, put your phone, mouse, keyboard, iPad, whatever down and walk away. Sit on the sofa, floor or bed and breath. You will be amazed by how a day at work can send your breathing haywire and one of the most valuable skills I’ve learnt in the last year has been the ability to gain control of my breathing in order to calm myself down, preventing adrenal exhaustion.
Relax & Indulge
When you finally do get to grips with the boundaries in your life don’t be afraid to really indulge in your down time. My favourite thing to do is to get into my pyjamas, remove my make up with my most expensive and indulgent skincare, turn on my electronic diffuser with my favourite relaxing essential oil, Ylang ylang, pour myself a mug of my favourite calming tea and play my favourite playlist of what I like to call “Whale Music”. This is my idea of heaven, this is where I escape it all.
Give yourself Goodness
Ensure you replace the energy thats lost with organic sources. A great source of energy to start the day with is Organic oats, I enjoy it most with some compote and my special energising coffee brew. Other great energy sources are Raw Cacao, Goji berries, Splirulina and Coconut everything!
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