Feeling tired is a common by product of being a working mum, and with all the juggling we do, is it any wonder?
But there’s a type of tiredness that is more than just a passing distraction, and can continue for weeks and even months before your body feels like it just can’t cope – even with more sleep than you usually need.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, this type of prolonged fatigue happens to one in 10 people, and women (unsurprisingly) feel tired more than men. So what could be causing it?
Food intolerance
Not to be confused with a food allergy (that causes an abnormal reaction to the immune system), food intolerance has no allergic reaction to the body, but as a result of it’s difficulty to digest certain foods can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating and stomach cramps.
If you’re experiencing this type of discomfort on a regular basis, you should consider taking a test like a York Test to find out the cause. You can order one online, or speak to your GP about other options to alleviate your symptoms.
Are you drinking too much?
Be honest – is it really the odd glass of wine or sherry you’re drinking when the kids finally go off to sleep, or more like a half bottle (or more)? Drinking alcohol in the evening can cause you to wake in the night, can make you feel depressed and make it difficult for you to sleep at night, all causing you to feel tired during the day.
Are you worried or anxious about something?
Panicking about the kids, money problems, a boss from hell, or anything else can take its toll after a while.
You may not realise it, but all that thinking and anxiety drains your body of energy and can make you tired. Try taking up a sport, a hobby, speaking to a confidant or your GP for help.
Check your iron levels
Looking pale and pasty? Does your body feel like you’re dragging it along? Lost you libido? Feeling extra snappy and irritable? It sounds like it a trip to the GP may be just what the doctor ordered. They’ll arrange for you to have a blood test to check the iron levels in your blood, and prescribe some more if your body needs it.
You can also try eating natural sources of iron like spinach, red meat, fish and chicken are all good sources of iron. If this doesn’t do the trick, a food supplement could help, like
Iron Vital F from Hübner. It’s a liquid iron supplement that actually tastes good, as vitamin supplements go. It retails at £14.49 for 500ml and is available from health stores nationwide, including Holland & Barrett, and selected pharmacies.
What about your thyroid gland?
Have you piled on or lost a lot of weight recently? Are you feeling sluggish, or (the opposite) zipping around doing everything and nothing these days?
Perhaps you should get your thyroxine levels checked. The thyroid gland regulates the hormones in your body, and when the level of thyroxine in your body is too high or too low, it can have quite a strong effect on your body and how you feel.
If you’re feeling tired all the time, whatever you do, don’t pass it off as normal, especially when you’re no more busier than you usually are. Seek medical help so you can catch any ailments quickly.
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