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Tired/No Motivation
So for the past month to two months, I have been the biggest slacker. I have been going to bed early, and still feel tired. I have intentions to go to the gym, but wimp out because I am so tired. I seriously feel drained all the time. I am on a low-dose antidepressant. I don't feel sad/depressed like when I have had bouts with depression, I just have trouble getting up in the morning and working out. When I am at work, I have trouble concentrating.
Does this sound like the winter blahs? Any suggestions for getting some motivation back? I have been gaining weight, and I don't want to.
This is the first time in years I am only working one job and am not in some type of school. Why is it I feel more tired than when I had two jobs and was in grad school?
I take a multivitamin with iron and magnesium. Someone suggested Vit D, DHA, and Vit B. I don't want to take too much though.
I help motivate other people all the time, why is it so hard to do it to myself?
Re: Tired/No Motivation
I'd say it sounds like the winter blahs - they are definitely going around! I'm not sure how to psychologically do this, but I think if you can get yourself back into an exercise routine, you will have more energy and feel better. Might sound cliche', but I've experienced the energy loss from not working out, and the vicious cycle that ensues (no energy to work out-->less energy-->no energy to work out, etc). It is a hard cycle to crack, but if you can, I think it will really help. And hopefully you will feel a difference after the first few times exercising again, so that will be a motivator in and of itself? And I always say the best motivator is seeing some pounds come off.
Some additional Vitamin D might help. I take a supplement in the winter and have noticed a difference.
I'm like you too, I have more energy and stay more focused when I am busy and have a lot of things going on. Haven't been able to figure that one out:(
Hope you feel better soon!
I would probably go to your doctor and have them run a routine blood panel. I know the "off" feeling you're talking about and it can be caused by a ton of things, including anemia and diabetes.
That said, I take a B complex vitamin every day and I feel better for it. It helps your body process a lot of the hormones and enzymes that your cells otherwise have a harder time ridding themselves of. You also don't have to worry about taking too much, B vitamins are water soluble, so if you don't need it, your body will cleanse itself of the excess naturally.
Stand up for something you believe in.
It does sound like the winter blahs to me. I'm on 100 mg of sertraline for my anxiety which definitely help especially my mood in the winter. However, my mood is definitely affected by the weather. Sunlight is a natural source of serotonin, which is found in medicine such as mine.
I find getting outside as much as possible really helps. Especially a short walk, on a sunny day really helps my mood, even if it's a chilly day. I also have all the blinds open during the day. The natural light streaming in really helps versus artificial light.
Also, just forcing myself to get up get moving will help me feel a little more energized and listening to upbeat music helps improve my mood and helps with an energy boost. With everything that went on, I have been having to do a lot of this stuff lately.
It probably is the winter blahs, and I went through something very similar when a full time job became my only job. I had worked part time in college, then worked full time while going to grad school. I feel so tired some days now, and I wonder how in the world I ever did all of that.
Suggestions: B6 vitamin- I've been taking this for fertility, but it's really an energy booster, too. Your multivitamin should have Vit D and Vit B already. If you take extra, it'll probably just get washed out of your system. You may also want to look into a light. I don't know anything about these, but an ex's sister had bad SAD and bought a light to sit under at home (like a lizard). She said it really helped. A happy playlist, especially for your morning commute, would probably also be helpful.
Can I ask what AD you're taking?
The reason I ask is that I'm currently in the process of weaning myself off of 20mg of Celexa (I am following my doctor's recommendations on how to wean, I've been on 10mg for a little over a week and on Saturday I'm supposed to cut down to 5mg.) I have noticed that since I started cutting down, I have more energy and am actually in a better mood. I have headaches like a mofo, though.
So maybe your meds just need some adjusting? That's what I was getting at.
I ditto the Vitamin B complex - I take one every morning. Helps with long term energy, after my morning caffeine has worn off.
Bolded is also an great idea - some of that lack of motivation could just be some burnout talking. Nature of the beast we work in my dear. Take care of yourself. Sometimes that means NOT beating yourself up for not going to the gym. Don't get me wrong, putting on pounds isn't good self-care either, but sometimes granting yourself some TLC is more important than the gym. Maybe book a massage or a pedi for your stay-cation, pamper yourself a little.
Another perspective - are you getting enough protein in the morning? Heavy carbs in the morning could also be the culprit. Carbs are good for short-term energy, but not long term. I switched to a heavier protein breakfast and I can really tell a difference in my energy.
I don't really have anything to add, I think everyone has made really good suggestions. I will say that just forcing yourself to workout, even if just for a little while will make you feel better. I was feeling that way too and just started going to the gym here and there and noticed that I was feeling better when I was at home; I started sleeping better which made it easier to get up in the morning and I wanted to sit on the couch less and less.
Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good stint on the couch but at this point it's not the only thing I feel like doing any more. Last night I came home from the gym, ate dinner with Jay and proceeded to do small chores around the house; Jay just stared at me and kept asking me if I was ever going to stop moving, lol!
Dude, I swear this is the thing that zapped all my energy. Before this I took Lexapro and it wasn't as bad, but my insurance stopped covering it so my doctor switched me to the Celexa and I swear it turned me into a grouchy old lady! I'm hoping that going off of it is going to give me back my energy and my sex drive.
Other than what everyone else has already said, I was also going to ask about your diet. I can see the difference on my mood and activity level depending on what I've eaten throughout the day, so maybe this is something you can also adjust?
updated 10.03.12