The ‘Meh’ feeling - is it fatigue, burnout, or is life just a bit hard right now?
The answer is probably ‘all of the above’.
I have a large number of patients who report feeling ‘meh’ right now. It’s a weirdly accurate way to describe a general sense of fatigue, both physical and mental. As women, who are usually (but not always) the primary caregivers and household managers, we deal with the increased burden of the mental load. And it’s exhausting! I really could deep dive into the mental load effects on women but I think what is more helpful is to look at how acupuncture and nutrition can support women. Because in truth, I don’t see huge changes to a women’s mental load anytime soon. So instead of raging against the patriarchy, I’m here to help in the way I know best, health advice.
During a consult with me, we cover everything. It’s important to know how you’re sleeping, what you’re eating, when you’re eating, what you are doing while you eat (watching tv, on the computer, running around doing errands), how you manage your stress levels, any menstrual cycle issues, and about 20 other questions.
All of these questions help me to build a picture of your overall health and find areas that need improvement to help you feel better. We can’t run on empty, eat junk, not exercise, and sleep poorly and expect to feel great.
Here are my 3 top tips to feeling less ‘Meh’:
Sleep. 8 hours a night is definitely a must or as close to as possible. In bed before 10pm, and no screens 1 hour before bed. It really can be that simple. Don’t sacrifice your sleep for an extra hour of tv time.
Nutrition. What you eat and when you eat is important. Busy women on the move all day tend to snack instead of sitting down for proper meals. Having regular meals is important for our hormones and blood sugar levels. If you’re crashing in the afternoon, it’s time to look at your food.
Breakfast: doesn’t have to be a huge meal but something with protein is important. When I’m busy I try for 1 piece of toast with a boiled egg and 1/4 avocado.
Morning tea: keep it simple. low sugar yoghurt and fruit, or a handful or nuts.
Lunch: protein, carbs and fats. Think mediterranean style. And sit down to eat. Don’t eat at the computer or in the car. Dedicate 30 min to just enjoying your lunch.
Afternoon tea: if you’re prone to sugar cravings in the afternoon, then I suggest having some pre-prepared snacks available. I like to make cacao chia seed puddings with added protein to satisfy that sweet feeling. And sometimes it’s also fine to just honour that craving and eat whatever it is you feel like. Just be mindful that it often wont keep you full and don’t over eat in order to fill you up.
Dinner: back to the protein carbs and fats. A good balance is key. When looking at your plate, half the plate should be veg, then 1/4 protein and 1/4 fats
N.B. food shouldn’t cause you stress or be too tricky. If you’re needing help or more guidance in this area, I offer specific meal plans including recipes and shopping lists. Book a Nutrition appointment to discuss further (can be tele-health or in-person)
Movement. Regular movement is soooo important and very underrated when it comes to managing fatigue. Aim for 15-30min/day of whatever gives you the most joy. Take the dog for a walk around the block, dance in your living room, hit the gym.
And that, my dear people, is some life basics to help manage being human. Life is tough sometimes. And don’t forget to drink more water!
