Boot camp Melbourne

Instead, we live in a time of relative ease and plenty, with a stable government and very little serious violence. 
So why do so many people feel below par, and lack the energy to live well and enjoy life?

Are You Exhausted?


When people complain of being tired or exhausted, there’s often a long list of other symptoms as well. These symptoms are common to many illnesses, so it’s important to exclude more serious ones.

Some of the most common complaints are:

• Over-reacting, becoming upset and frustrated at things that don’t really matter
• Lack of motivation to exercise or do even basic housework
• Difficulty making good decisions or any decision at all
• Feeling faint, light-headed or dizzy a lot of the time
• Repeated colds, flu and infections
• Lack of concentration and poor memory
• Can’t be bothered to eat properly
• Poor sleep, waking tired
• Weak, achey muscles

 

Could This Be Chronic Fatigue?


Once serious illness has been excluded, then it’s time to tease out the cause from the remaining contenders.
The three most likely causes are:
• Chronic fatigue. The symptoms are nearly identical, and there are no reliable tests for diagnosis. Tiredness is usually long-standing, it’s not related to exercise or effort, and is not improved by rest or sleep. There may also be unexplained joint pain and sore throat. It won’t respond to any of the suggested simple treatments.
• Lifestyle factors. This is perhaps the easiest diagnosis to make, because changes can be made which will often have an immediate impact on the person’s mind and body - diet, exercise, work and social circumstances.
• Depression. Similar symptoms, so it needs careful consideration because proper treatment is vital. Usually, symptoms are much more severe, with feelings not normally present in the other types of exhaustion, such as blame, agitation, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts.

Can Hormonal Changes Cause Tiredness and Exhaustion?


Tiredness and exhaustion are commonly the result of hormonal changes in the body.
• Estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, and cause a raft of common and widely experienced symptoms. 
 - Fluid retention can lead to rapid weight gain, with its attendant feelings of helplessness, anxiety and an inability to function properly 
- Upset brain chemistry can lead to headaches and migraines. 
- Fluctuating blood sugar is also common before menstruation, and low blood sugar will cause many of the symptoms mentioned
• Adrenal fatigue- a number of hormones are produced by the adrenal glands. In response to continued stress, this production may be interrupted and lead to all degrees of exhaustion.
- salt/water balance in the body upset – fluid retention
- male/female hormones – disruption or altered balance
- blood glucose levels, blood pressure and the inflammatory process are affected by cortisol

What Causes These Changes To Take Place?


This may well be the most stressful time in history. Everything is instant including communication and food. Mealtimes which once afforded companionship and rest, rarely offer such luxuries; we’re more likely to have a dietary minefield in one hand, a computer mouse in the other while we listen to the speaker phone. Life has little time for reflection, let alone exercise, and with the loss of the extended family, there’s little support.
The emotional and psychological implications are as likely as lifestyle to impact on our energy status. We become stranded on life’s treadmill, and lack the ability to jump off.

What Can We Do About It?


Often, it’s simple changes that are needed, though that may mean some serious life changes.
•Diet – Take out processed food and sugar, at least temporarily, and add in extra vegetables, fruit and protein,
 Decrease caffeine in coffee and other drinks,
 Have regular meals to stabilize blood sugar,
 Add in a good quality multi-vitamin, 
Implement regular sleep habits, 
Increase water intake.
•Exercise – Add some regular exercise, daily if possible. 
 Short walks; using the stairs 
 Gym classes
 Yoga or tai chi
•‘Me’ time – No matter how short, this should be regularly scheduled in.
 Meditation 
 Massage or facial
•Support – Whatever that means for you: friend, psychotherapy, singing group, religion, new 
 boss or partner
•Journal – Probing and writing out your feelings, fears and ambitions can be a very illuminating 
 and therapeutic process, and can be a catalyst for change.

 

These simple changes can quickly lighten and smooth life, and make it worth living again. Having tasted that feeling of wellbeing again, don’t let it go even if you have to fight to preserve your changes.
If there is not a perceptible change within a week or two, then the possibility of some underlying condition should be investigated.