If you are tired, there is a reason for it. Think of fatigue as a message from your body and brain saying, “Something is wrong; help me!” Let’s learn to listen to the message of fatigue through a simple elimination process. Maybe we can find out what’s making you tired and discover a remedy.

Reasons for fatigue

• Lack of sleep
  Most fatigue comes simply from getting too little sleep. We often fail to both respect the need for sleep and accord the process of sleep the dignity it deserves. For example, humans are diurnal animals. Nothing can change that. We are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. But electric light, shift work, caffeine and bad habits let us push past the normal sleep drive until we become insensitive to our own need for sleep.

• Boredom
  Fatigue follows boredom. Humans are designed to live with clarity of purpose. Purpose breeds enthusiasm, a sense of mission in life and a drive that compels you to get up, get out and do something! Our work is not our purpose; rather, it should reflect an aspect of our purpose. So should our play, our relationships and our form of worship. Find balance, focus and clarity in purpose around love, play, work and worship and you will discover untapped energy.

• Sedentary lifestyle
  A sedentary life creates fatigue. The less you move, the less you will want to move and the less you will be able to move. The more you move, the more you will want to move and the more you will be able to move. Exercise is a source of energy.

• Toxicity
  Fatigue is a sign of toxicity. Some toxins are created within your own body. Some toxins are emotional and come from “toxic” relationships. Most toxins come from our polluted air, water and food. Toxins cause fatigue, inability to think clearly, muscle aches and pains, and a host of symptoms that are hard to describe and may change day to day. Cleaning up your physical and emotional environment as well as making better choices for the future will reduce your level of toxicity and fatigue.

• Deficiencies and imbalances
  Nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance, dehydration and other forms of deficiency can cause you to feel tired:

• • Vitamin B-12 deficiency, especially in people over age 50.
  • Borderline thyroid imbalance (usually seen as fatigue with a slightly low body temperature).
  • Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) deficiency is a common cause of poor stamina, though not necessarily fatigue if you are sitting still.
  • Dehydration causes grumpiness first, poor joint mobility second and finally fatigue.

What to do

• Sleep: Begin your transition to a night of peaceful sleep by turning off all electronics at dusk. Use low intensity red/orange light in your home after supper. Develop a low-stress sleep routine: brush your teeth, take a bath, read a book. Get to sleep after 9 p.m. but before 11 p.m. to be in the deepest sleep state between midnight and 3 a.m. Awaken before 7 a.m. and get out into the sunshine!

• Purpose: Journaling can help you clarify your purpose and focus on it daily. What do you want? Why is that important? Who are you at your best? What do people say about your strengths? How will you, your family and the world be different when your actions are in full integrity with your purpose? Measure your actions daily and ask, “Is this course ‘on purpose’ or does it take me off my path?”

• Activity: Get out and move! Humans do best with about 2 ½ hours of activity daily.

• Detoxify: Start with breathing deeply for 10 minutes, three times daily and 20 minutes at bedtime. Three-fourths of all body waste comes out through your lungs. Stop eating toxic foods (sugar, alcohol, caffeine and artificial anything) and eat Certified Organic when possible. Remove all cleaning supplies and other chemicals from your home and store them outside (remove them from a basement or an attached garage as well). Also, remember “the solution to pollution is dilution!” That means drink pure water: ½ ounce per pound of body weight daily.

• Nutrients: The most common nutrient deficiencies are Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and the mineral magnesium. Any deficiency can cause fatigue, but Vitamin B-12 is the greatest offender! (Remember, EFA is for stamina rather than fatigue.)
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• A common protein deficiency of the amino acid phenylalanine can cause low thyroid. Further, stress may interfere with the way our body converts phenylalanine into thyroid and brain hormones. This is called a “functional” deficiency: you have enough, you just can’t use what you have because of stress!

Conclusion
We are always tired for a reason. Learning to listen to the symptom of fatigue can help us live a healthier, purpose-filled life!

Live LIfe #VoxxLife Strong