4 signs you're exhausted and 5 ways to re-energise.

As us parents approach the end of the school holidays (finally) it’s fair to say that fatigue levels are high.

It’s tiring enough being a parent but having the kidlets with you each and every day, constantly demanding attention and entertainment, is enough to drive anyone nuts.

While I don’t have children at school yet, I’ve definitely noticed the closure of my son’s preschool over the Christmas and New Year period and as a parent working from home with two small children, it sure isn’t easy at times.

But when does normal tiredness run into sheer exhaustion, and how can you tell the difference? Well, first of all, exhaustion can be emotional, physical and mental or most likely, a combination of all three.

Here are four classic signs that you’re not just a little bit weary. Lady, you’re exhausted!

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Cenovis. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words. 

1. Feeling tired all the time.

Yes, I know this sounds pretty obvious but if you’re feeling tired from the moment you wake up to the oh-so-sweet moment your head hits the pillow at night, then you might want to reassess what’s going on in your world. Tiredness is normal in our busy lives but feeling sheer exhaustion all day long is not.

2. Lack of motivation.

If you’re usually the kind of person with heaps of plans and ambitions but you now find that you can’t quite muster up the energy to contemplate doing them, it could be your body telling you that you’re worn out.

3. Inability to concentrate.

Do you find it hard to concentrate throughout the day and have difficulty applying yourself to work or personal situations? This is another possible sign that you’re exhausted and a sign that you need to do something about it.

4. Having trouble falling asleep at night.

Ironically, people who are chronically exhausted have trouble staying awake during the day but also may experience difficulty falling asleep at night.

Ok, so you read the list above and found yourself nodding along. Vigorously. So here are 5 solutions to help mums re-energise and combat exhaustion.

1. Try and force yourself to go to bed at a regular time. If it helps, establish a bedtime routine (much like the one you have set up for the kids) to help you wind down and prepare for sleep. As relaxing as it sounds, avoid tea and coffee after dinner due to the caffeine and try and get your body into a regular rhythm for sleep. You don’t really need to watch one more episode of Offspring tonight.

2. If possible, take the time to have small ‘power naps’ throughout the day. As a mum of two I totally understand how hilarious this sounds, but see if you can make it work. With young children, try and sleep (if only for half an hour) while they do, and enforce quiet reading time in their rooms for older children to give yourself a break. I know there is washing to do, dishes to stack, clothes to fold, work to complete – but if you’re at the breaking point of exhaustion, the laundry can wait.

3. Make sure you’re fuelling your body with the right foods to give yourself energy throughout the day. Ensure your diet has ample carbohydrates and protein, and regularly snack on things like natural yogurt and nuts for nutritional energy.

4. Take a multivitamin containing extra energy boosting nutrients. Choose one that is specially formulated to support your body and boost vitamins and minerals that you may be lacking (hence the tiredness). Some multivitamins have specific ingredients for sustained energy release during the course of the day.

5. Sometimes exhaustion isn’t just a case of getting no sleep, but rather being emotionally exhausted. As mums, we spend so much of our lives giving back to those around us that we often neglect to take time for ourselves. If you can, give the kids to your partner one night a week or organise a babysitter and find yourself a yoga class or painting course (or anything that you think you’ll benefit from). It gives you something regular to look forward to and provides a mental break from ‘mum life’.

How do you re-energise your body and mind?

Sometimes it’s just mind over matter. Here are some ways you can re-energise and de-stress: 

Cenovis has been loved and trusted by Australian families for over 70 years. Cenovis provides high quality, easy to understand health solutions that are tailored to the needs of families.

The Cenovis vision is to be the health partner for Australian families so they can lead happy and healthy lives.

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