Why Am I’m So Tired?
How often do you ask yourself, Why am I so tired? When we question our energy levels and don’t feel justified when they are low, we dismiss the need to prioritize our rest and recovery, a critical practice to Well-Being. See what I mean from this recent individual session in the Well-Being Coaching Program:
Can you give me your 2-word check-in for how you are feeling today?
I’m exhausted, even though I’m practicing my sleep hygiene. I limit my phone use before bed, I rarely hit the snooze anymore and I cut out my afternoon caffeine. I don’t know why I’m so tired and can’t think of anything else I can do.
Have you made any recent changes in your schedule, personally or professionally?
Well, I am a clinical instructor one day a week, which I absolutely love.
How many hours did you add to your workweek, including prep and travel time for this new role?
Oh…probably about 15 or 16 hours.
So, you have gone from working 36 hours plus to 52 hours plus a week?
Yes. I honestly never even considered that.
This may seem so obvious, but when it’s happening to you it isn’t! As high performers and overachievers, (most nurses) we often think we are superwomen and supermen and feel like we should be able to do more, so we keep piling it on. Well-Being Coaching empowers you to stop and reflect not on only how you are feeling, but how to make the best decision for what to do about it by:
1. Accepting your energy level instead of questioning it.
2. Reviewing your commitments and deciding what to delegate, procrastinate, or eliminate altogether.
3. Scheduling recovery every day, even for 20 minutes, with something you do just for yourself to re-energize.
As you honestly evaluate your sleep needs and habits, consider how much energy you require for your new or current responsibilities, professionally and personally. This includes the holidays, because even if you don’t increase your baking or entertaining, the unmet expectations many of us feel this time of year can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, leaving us exhausted. Be proactive with your rest and recovery and you will show up more energized everywhere in your life and won’t have to ask, Why am I so tired?
Thanks Diane, as always.
Im so very sorry to hear about your recent fall (Lisa shared this with me) Here’s to your full recovery!
Thank you Ally!
This really spoke to me. During the year my work and call leads me to have an average of 54 hour weeks. November/ December I find myself sleeping in the hospital some nights and working 60+ hour weeks. This doesn’t include my drive time of 1 hour or a 20 minute shower or even meals. I finally was forced by my doctor to take time off and it was really eye opening on how tired I really was. For a month I did nothing but sleep, watch tv and rest until finally I felt enough energy to do other things. I love what I do. I feel and see the burnout of the staff so I recently reached out for help from the people who are making the decisions for our managers/ directors in hope to survive the busiest time of the year.
Good for you Luiza.
Sometimes we have to go to extremes to realize the rest we require. Thank you for reaching out to your manager and asking for what you need. Please let me know if I can support you in any way.