End of year fatigue
There’s only a few weeks to go til the end of the year. And you know that feeling you have? Tired, irritable, unmotivated, distracted, and maybe a little overwhelmed? I’m sure its familiar, you probably felt like this at this time last year too, and maybe in years before that.
That’s end of year fatigue – it’s a real thing and I’m sure you know it’s the result of continued overwork and stress. In the rush to get things done before the end of the year and as commitments start to pile up, lots of people start to feel it in November and December. It may be common to feel like this, but it shouldn’t be considered ‘normal’.
While the stress of the last few years may still be amplifying the effects of end of year fatigue this time around, we’re shifting back to a ‘normal’ world, and our lives should also be shifting back to some kind of normal too.
With that in mind, if you can recall this end of year fatigue being ‘normal’ for you, that’s a sign that perhaps how you’re managing yourself through the year is not quite sustainable. It might feel fine in the first few months after that Christmas and summer break, and in the middle of the year, but if you get to this time of year and always find yourself mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted, that everything is just hard and you’re ‘hanging out’ for that holiday, is it time to take a step back and look what’s contributing to this and what lifestyle changes you could make going forward?
Consider these strategies to regain some energy and focus for the next few weeks and aim to maintain them into the new year so that you’re not faced with end of year exhaustion again in 12months:
Sleep:
When we want to squeeze more work and play into our days, sleep is often one of the first things to go. Typically, we need around 7-9 hours of sleep a night and reduced sleep impacts many things – neural and physical repair, liver function, energy restoration, hormonal balance and decision-making.
I know the days are longer and at this time of year there’s more stuff to get done but if you’re tired, prioritise your sleep and see how that affects your energy so you can get things done more efficiently. More about sleep here.
Eat well:
We literally are the food we eat so choose your food well to boost your energy, mood, and health. With end of year functions and socialising, this might get harder, but focus on making great decisions on those times when you do have control over what you eat. More about eating to nourish your body here.
Move:
Movement and exercise are not just for losing weight and looking good. Move because you enjoy it, move to reduce stress and anxiety, and move to improve your mood, energy and concentration. Find ways to add movement into your day, not just relying on structured exercise. As the weather warms up, get outside on your lunch break for some fresh air, sun and to move to help refocus for the afternoon. Is movement punishment or play for you? Read more here.
For more simple things you can do to look after your energy read this and this.
If you need help managing your stress or improving your energy in a way that fits your lifestyle and is sustainable, get in touch – I have limited space available.
