Sarah Rees Evans

Chronic Fatigue    Vitality      Serenity

Chronic Fatigue    Vitality     Serenity

Sarah Rees Evans

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Warning: These 10 Signs Could Mean It’s More Than Burnout… It’s Chronic Fatigue (ME) Creeping In

July 7, 2024

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July 7th 2024

Hey, rockstars!

Today, we’re diving deep into something that’s affecting many of us over-functioning, severely fatigued professionals: Chronic Fatigue. Yes, that sneaky little monster that creeps up on you when you’re juggling a million things that leaves you feeling like you’re constantly running on empty.

It’s time to face the facts and recognise the red flags before Chronic Fatigue takes over your life. Let’s get real about how it shows up, why you shouldn’t stay stuck and how you can regain your energy and start to take your life back.


Why Recognising Chronic Fatigue Matters

Chronic Fatigue isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s like your body, mind and spirit are waving a big red flag in front of you, screaming for help. But, all too often, we ignore the signs for months, years, even decades and just keep on pushing through those days and milestones!

The truth is, recognising these ‘BIG RED FLAGS’ and taking action are absolute ‘Non-Negotiables’ and are crucial to prevent Chronic Fatigue from turning your life and health upside down.

So, let’s break these ‘KEY SIGNS’ down with some real-life scenarios that help to get you back on track with holistic and natural solutions.


1. Constant Fatigue

The reality is that despite getting a full night’s sleep, you wake up severely exhausted and soo drained, you feel like you’ve just run a marathon!!

Research from the ‘Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine’ shows that chronic fatigue impacts your sleep cycle with relapsing fatigue, daytime napping, daytime sleepiness and waking up feeling unrefreshed. So, the reality is, you experience non-restorative sleep, difficulty falling asleep which results in you feeling lethargic and battling with daytime fatigue.

When Instead: What you really want is to wake up refreshed, energised and ready to take on the world.


2. Decreased Productivity

Now: Tasks that used to take you an hour, can now take you all day. Your to-do list? A nightmare!!

Let’s Get Real: Studies in the ‘National Library of Medicine’ in the ‘PLOS ONE Journal’ show that Chronic Fatigue messes with your cognitive function (psychomotor speed) which highlights and suggests a general slowing down of either “basic perceptual-cognitive processes, basic motor responses or both.”. This is why it feels like everything takes longer and feels harder.

When What You Really Want Is: To work efficiently, get stuff done and feel accomplished at the end of the day, like you used to.


3. Emotional Exhaustion

Is This You?: You’re so drained that engaging with family or friends now sucks as it feels like a chore as you’re constantly worried if you have enough energy.

AND

You really don’t want to have to explain why you can’t go when to others, you look absolutely fine, so you worry that they won’t believe you and they’ll think that you’re making the whole thing up. Soo, it becomes much easier to avoid these conversations at all costs as honestly, you no longer want to explain your WHY.

Did You Know?: Emotional exhaustion is a key part of chronic fatigue, according to the ‘NIH’ in ‘Psychiatry Research’. Cumulative life stress (exposure to stressors) was more commonly found in those with ‘CFS’, and experiencing higher levels of psychological distress and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Therefore, stress reduction is key to reducing overall chronic fatigue symptoms as it drains your emotional reserves and energy tank. As symptoms increase, overtime, even simple interactions can feel overwhelming!

When All You Want Instead Is: Emotional resilience and the ability to connect meaningfully with others without constantly feeling drained.


4. Physical Symptoms

Recognise This?: Waking up with dull, heavy headaches, muscle tension and food sensitivities, do these feel like your daily ‘new normal’?

Evidence Makes It Clear: Research from the NIH’ website, points out that chronic stress activates your body’s stress response, leading to all sorts of physical symptoms, including the risk of health problems, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression.

When All You Crave: Is a healthy body that works like it used to!


5. Difficulty Concentrating

Can You Relate To This?: You know when you’re mid-sentence and then your mind suddenly goes blank and your brain and memory recall feels like it’s been wrapped in a dull fog, so even the most simple of conversations become a challenge and even your worst nightmare.

Did You Know?: Research in ‘Cognitive Therapy and Research‘ indicates that chronic stress impairs executive functions, making concentration and memory tasks difficult.

Do You Want Aspects Of The Old Version of You Again? : The good old days of quick decision making and no longer feeling sluggish and struggling to recall words mid-sentence.


6. Increased Irritability

Does: Every little thing sets you off and before you know it, you’re snapping at people left, right and centre?

You’re Not Losing It: The ‘Journal of Behavioural Medicine‘ links chronic stress to increased irritability and emotional volatility. So next time you feel like this, remind yourself… you’re not going crazy; you’re stressed out.

Here’s Your Dream Vision: To remain calm and composed, even when things get tough. I get it, I really do! All you really want is access to your personal “happiness and energy roadmap” to get you back to you again.


7. Loss of Motivation

Have You Lost your Mojo? Listen up, has the passion you once had for your work gone? Does everything now feel like a slog?

Motivator Magic: The ‘National Library of Medicine’ highlights research form ‘Int Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health’ highlights that job satisfaction and social support play a role in the poor physical and psychological health experienced by individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, even burnout. Soo… remember that next time you’ve lost your mojo and motivator magic, you’re not alone!

Your Bigger Dream Is: To glow from within and feel the fire and joy in your belly again?


8. Social Withdrawal

Are You Noticing: Social interactions drain you, maybe even avoiding them.

Here’s The Evidence: Social withdrawal is a common symptom of chronic fatigue, as noted in the ‘Journal of Applied Psychology‘ – chronic stress makes you want to hide from the world.

What You Really Crave is: To enjoy social interactions, again and feel energised being around others instead of drained and energy depleted.


9. Neglecting Self-Care

Recognise These Signs: Healthy eating, exercise, and self-care routines? Have they been long forgotten and instead you’re surviving on coffee, maybe sugar kicks and unhealthy foods?

Scientific Insight: The ‘Annals of Behavioral Medicine‘ emphasise that chronic fatigue often leads to neglecting self-care, which makes everything worse. Are you neglecting any aspect of your self care?

What Do You Want Instead: A healthy, happy lifestyle.


10. Anxious

Is This You?: Constantly overthinking your days, easily overwhelmed, stressed-out and even battling days of anxiety, panic-attacks?

Evidence Shows: According to ‘Frontiers in Neuroscience’, according to the HAMA and HAMD rating scales, people with chronic fatigue have noticeable symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental symptoms.


If this speaks to you, here’s a quick, holistic win:

One simple, natural way to start tackling chronic fatigue is conscious breathing. Just five minutes a day can do wonders to reduce your stress levels and help you find inner peace and calm. Here’s how:

  1. Find a Quiet Space: Sit comfortably in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
  2. Close Your Eyes: Take a deep breath in through your nose, gently fill your belly with breath and then RELAXED BREATHING into your lungs.
  3. Hold and Release: Hold your breath for a count of four, then slowly exhale through your mouth.
  4. Breath Repeat: Keep this up for five minutes, focusing solely on your breath.

This practice calms your nervous system and helps reduce symptom impact of chronic fatigue, especially in times of high stress and anxiety.


Conclusion: Embrace Your Well-being

Recognising the signs of Chronic Fatigue is the first step towards reclaiming your health and happiness. By paying attention to these 10 red flags and implementing holistic and natural wellbeing practices, you can start to restore balance in your life. Remember, you deserve to thrive and not just survive.

Ready to dive deeper into holistic health and well-being? If this speaks to you, book a 1:1 Chronic Fatigue DETOX Hour and let’s get you inspired and energised again!

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