Sometimes I feel so tired.  My legs feel like led and my head feels foggy.  I've learned over the years not to fight it now.  Of course there are times when I can't give in to it and have a 'Nana nap' but I try not to get caught up in the "oh my god, I could just drop" feeling.  You know the one; "I'm so tired, but I have so much to do still, I can't possibly stop yet", or my personal favorite "Other Mum's and carers have just as much to do and you don't see them dragging themselves around biting heads off!"  Sound familiar?  Every now and again I find myself buying into these thoughts and getting caught up in them.  That makes me even more tired and grumpy.  Now I try to catch myself out - when I realise I'm fusing with these thoughts I acknowledge that what I am doing isn't helpful.  I acknowledge that yes, I am very tired so what action can I take to lessen the hold it has on my thoughts and actions.  Sometimes I consciously just slow down - take longer slower steps instead of quickly marching all over the place.  Sometimes, if it's possible, I'll just down tools and go for a short walk and notice what is going on around me so that I become grounded again.  Sometimes I'll just go and sit on the verandah for five minutes, close my eyes and space out.  Sometimes I'll go into my husbands room and sit and chat to him.  Sometimes I'll just say to myself and every one else "I need to close my eyes and sleep for a bit", and that's just what I do.

Of course the aim is not to get to that point where I feel so drained and tired by doing preventative things, but, as we know, sometimes it just takes us over.  I think one of the secrets is not to beat myself up about it anymore.  I just get really tired sometimes and that's okay.  The only one judging me is me.  One of the terms counsellors like to use is "giving yourself permission' to feel a certain way.  Sounds a bit silly but I'm going to put it out there any way, you know when I "give myself permission" to just feel tired I don't feel quite so weighed down by my tiredness - sounds a bit irish I know.  But really it's about finding what works for me - because it works for me it may work for you too, or it may not!  People often find it's great to "try on" what works for others but always remember that if it doesn't have the same affect for you just try something different.  Every one is different. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.  What's worked for you?  What hasn't worked for you?

Thanks jiceau for your thoughts.  Yes, eating sensibly when you are a carer is one area that we often neglect for many and varied reasons, so being reminded to be mindful of what we put into our bodies as well as what we do for our emotional wellbeing is worth putting some thought into.  Sometimes respite care is just not available to leave the house for physical fitness regimes.  I know some carers jump rope out on the verandah - some walk up and down their steps - some even use the new technology available to them such as 'wii fit'.  Once again it's about finding what works for you and what  fits within your caring role.  Sounds silly I know that exercise can actually energise you, not make you feel more tired like your mind is repeatedly telling you it will!  But it really is worth the effort.  And believe me, somedays it is a massive effort!

As I have mentioned earlier, of course it's more helpful in the long run to try and prevent the overwhelming heaviness of tiredness, but, sometimes it does sneak up on us all the same.  Even if we feel we are making efforts to look after ourselves.

I have some other thoughts on looking after ourselves as carers and reducing fatigue that I wold like to share in future posts.  May be some of you may like to share some ideas on what has worked for you, or indeed was not helpful at all?  Look forward to hearing from you!

Sandra   :o)

Welcome Lotte!

It's great to hear form you.  Thank you for sharing a little about yourself with us.  It's interesting about cutting the gluten out of your diet and that it has made such a difference to you.  I'm about to fly out the door to pick up kids, but I just wanted to welcome you to Collective Support and I hope to chat with you again soon!  Glad that "Nana naps" work well for someone else too!

Talk soon, regards, Sandra