Exhausted? Burned Out?

By Karen Wilson
July 15, 2011
257

The terms exhausted and burned out get used so often these days that we sometimes fail to realize just how worn out and weary we truly have become. When our sons were in the infant and toddler years, it wasnt unusual for me to find myself trying to function after sleeping for two to three non-consecutive hours the night before. The occasional bout with sleeplessness could usually be cured with a nap, early bedtime, or an extra hour in the morning. But, over time, the accumulation of tiredness left me feeling foggy and struggling to function properly. I started developing strategies to slip in rest wherever I could. To offset some of the effects, I would put a fun, educational DVD for kids into the player. So the kids wouldnt get into anything, I would wrap my arms around both boys in a big cuddle. I couldnt get any deep sleep, but I could doze enough to feel more alert. If possible, I napped when the boys napped. In truly desperate moments, Id ask my mother to watch the boys for a couple hours while I took a nap. When the boys finally started sleeping through the night, there were and still are times when fatigue gets the better of me. Thats when I start questioning my recent habits. I start by paying more attention to what I am eating. Often, as parents, we make sure our kids eat properly but settle for something quick when we need sustenance. To stay on the fast but healthy track, I started keeping frozen fruit and yogurt on hand. I also started cutting up vegetables and lettuce ahead of time for quick salad preparation. In a pinch, just a bag of baby carrots works. Another trick was eating my lunch after I fed the kids. Trying to eat and help them led to little enjoyment of what I ate. After their lunch, they were content to play reasonably quietly so that I could eat in a peaceful environment. Regular exercise can easily get lost in the busyness of family life, too. We know our bodies need it, but we have a hard time making time for it. Sometimes it just takes the determination to do it that leads us to creative solutions. Over the years, Ive ridden a stationary bike, run on a treadmill, pushed a stroller, hiked with a kid in a backpack, and more. Whatever works, do it. The increased energy and stamina are well worth the effort. In all the hub-bub, it can seem like were eating right and exercising, but sometimes it takes a log book to show us the holes in our routine. I benefitted greatly by writing down everything I ate, how and how much I exercised, how I slept and how much water I drank. We read all the time about the benefits of staying properly hydrated, but rarely know exactly how much water we take in each day. I started carrying around a water bottle and keeping track of how many times I emptied it. Avoiding the dehydrating effects of caffeine can help too. Sometimes the source of our weariness is mental more than physical. If my journal indicates that Im doing the right things physically and I still feel worn out, I need to look at my activities. Usually I realize that I am spending all or most of my time doing things that need to be done without doing the things that energize my spirit. In my case, reading good books, writing, and spending time outside need to stay part of my schedule for me to feel my best. If I neglect these activities, fatigue and weariness creep in. My kids have even figured this out. If Im feeling crabby, they suggest that I go read a book or that we read one together. Even better is reading a book together outside. Of course regular medical attention is important and should be maintained to avoid or address any serious conditions. It can seem difficult to keep our bodies in good working order, but if we are feeling depleted, meeting our familys needs will feel like trying to pump water from an empty well. Taking care of ourselves benefits the whole family.

Exhausted? Burned Out?

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