“I’m Tired.”

“I’m Tired.”

I hear it not only from patients (every day) , but from friends, family, and even strangers…. People are TIRED. Exhausted, sleepy, drained, worn out… I have heard them all (and personally complained of all of them as well.) Sleep deprivation is just one part of the equation. The truth is, you can be rested, but you can still feel like you are just not able to keep up with daily life, still feel that you need to give more, do more, and really feel like you just can’t. Many things can factor into this, and can be anything from a vitamin deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalance, or it could be a life -altering health condition. It may be the lifestyle you are leading that is making you feel like you just can’t keep up. You may have no inspiration or drive or carry many burdens and stressors. This affects not only our professional life, but more importantly, our personal life, relationships, and family. It’s eye-opening, though, if you are able to identify the root cause.

“I have nothing left to give.”

We are all busy. Days are full, to-do lists are never ending, and expectations are high. Everyone has goals, things they need and want to accomplish, but sometimes it seems that our daily grind doesn’t quite equate with our expectations. I have learned that routine does not equal improvement. Yes, consistency matters, but getting outside the comfort zone is where true growth begins. If we spend every day doing the same thing over and over again, we aren’t really moving forward. We’re making efforts but we are often not seeing our hopes, dreams or goals come to fruition. It takes something extra to make that happen. But that can seem exhausting and overwhelming. When you are truly working hard, giving your all, and still at the end of the day you feel you are let down, or you are letting your family down, this is where you have to determine where the deficiency lies. If you feel like you have nothing left to give, nothing more to offer and no motivation, you have to figure out why…. Is it because you have a vitamin deficiency or a significant health issue, and you are truly unable to function at a sufficient level? Is it because the things you are working for aren’t really providing you with gratification? Is it that your poor sleep is causing you to truly struggle in all aspects of your life? Your changing hormones? If you feel you can’t provide love, attention, or effort to those who deserve it in your life, or for yourself, it’s time to figure out why.

I hear these concerns, and I have expressed these concerns. But if you are giving your all, and you feel you truly have nothing left to give at the end of the day, it’s important to look for answers. What can be corrected? What needs to change? Whether it involves a supplement, a medication, or a major lifestyle change, life is too short to spend every day complaining about being tired. Things changed for me when I realized my thyroid wasn’t functioning and my Vitamin D level was awful… and, along with my depleted hormone levels it was no wonder I felt like I was hanging on by a thread. I felt lazy, and unmotivated. Correcting these things has changed my life, let me help you change yours. It’s time to make yourself a priority. Let’s find some answers and make a plan to help you feel your best.

Janis Oenbrink, FNP-C