How to improve my energy levels?

[AlexaShutUp]

I really lack energy - I have been like this for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I think I'm just lazy, but people who know me well say that they don't think this is the problem. Sometimes I think I have adhd, because I really struggle with executive function, but I don't think that explains the general feeling of lethargy that I have. Sometimes I think I might be depressed, but actually, I am not unhappy.

I have seen my doctor. I am anaemic so am trying to address that at the moment, but what else can I do? I'm trying to eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly etc, but it's so hard to keep on the right track. I'm quite stressed at the moment too (work challenges) and that definitely saps my energy quite a lot. Ironically, though, that makes it even harder to find the energy to tackle the challenges that are making me stressed.

What strategies do you have in place to manage your energy levels? Has anyone else experienced this problem and managed to overcome it in any way?

Bump!

Try vitamin B12 - you can get it in liquid form form Amazon which is much more effective than tablets. I find it really helps boost energy levels when I'm flagging. Yoga also really helps me - I find even a short session re-energises me for a bit. Good luck - feeling tired and lacking in energy can be so disheartening.

Thank you. I will have a look on Amazon now. I already take a vitamin d supplement, but not b12.

Did you have any blood tests? I have an underactive thyroid and one of the main issues is fatigue.

I try and avoid foods with lots of carbs or stuff with a lot of sugar in at breakfast and lunch as I find it give me massive spikes and then I crash feeling rubbish.
It's ok for dinner or in the evenings when I'm chilling out anyway but during the day I try and stick protein, fruit, veg and fats all of which keep me going and energised.
Oh and not drinking enough 1 day always seems to have a knock on effect the next day too.

Came on to day b12. Injections are game changers for me

@AlexaShutUp this is the one I use https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H31BFRB?pdrddi=B07H31BFRB&pdrddw=mdzZL&pfrddp=ec81c384-e37e-4b31-97c3-529db15e8630&pdrddwg=ppt4u&pfrddr=3QKYEE1WVKJQGY7MG64R&pdrddr=015b7251-d0a8-4017-8b66-63ef9bac013b definitely better than any tablets I've ever taken and works fast for me too

The obvious answer is that it’s due to your anaemia, as one of the major symptoms is exhaustion/fatigue.

I come from a family where the lack of energy is inherited. it doesnt affect all of us.

The good news has been that we seem to live a long time. I do wonder whether that is because we have not worn ourselves out.

Thank you for the B12 recommendation.

@TheGrumpyGoat, yes, I'm sure that the anaemia is a factor. I'm trying to tackle that at the moment. Haven't had iron checked recently but would hope it has improved as a result of supplements.

@piglet81, yes, I had a blood test which is what flagged up the anaemia. Not sure if they would have checked thyroid function as part of that.

I'm sure anaemia is the main issue. I'd focus on getting that fixed

@WhyAmIDoingIt

I try and avoid foods with lots of carbs or stuff with a lot of sugar in at breakfast and lunch as I find it give me massive spikes and then I crash feeling rubbish. It's ok for dinner or in the evenings when I'm chilling out anyway but during the day I try and stick protein, fruit, veg and fats all of which keep me going and energised. Oh and not drinking enough 1 day always seems to have a knock on effect the next day too.

I do eat too much sugar, especially when I'm feeling low on energy and particularly in periods of high stress. I know it's a vicious circle. I will have to make more effort to tackle this.

@bluejelly

I'm sure anaemia is the main issue. I'd focus on getting that fixed

I don't know what I can do other than take the supplements and try to eat as well as possible? I have been taking the supplements for a couple of months now, not sure how long it takes to build up iron stores again?

Should I go back to the GP to ask for another test?

I have ordered the B12 liquid, it arrives tomorrow.

Do you exercise? I find exercising increases my energy levels. If I don’t exercise, I feel lethargic and like I can’t be bothered to do anything.

Yes, I do try but I find it very difficult to motivate myself... even on a weekend when I have nothing to do. I do usually feel better when I come back from the gym, but getting there feels impossible at times. I did go for an hour this afternoon.

Do you know what your levels were with anemia?

No, I'm not sure what the levels were. They probably told me but I didn't really take it in and I didn't write it down.

could you do a 15 minute HIIT workout a few times a week? you're not meant to do it every day, but every other day would be good and it's done in just 15 mins in front of the TV. I like Emi wong

Oh and decluttering always makes me have more energy afterwards for some reason!! Try to choose one room, declutter it, have a deep clean and maybe move the furniture around. Helps give you a brain reset!

[quote hufffflufff]could you do a 15 minute HIIT workout a few times a week? you're not meant to do it every day, but every other day would be good and it's done in just 15 mins in front of the TV. I like Emi wong [/quote]
For various reasons, I really hate exercising at home and I struggle to motivate myself to do it. The space that we have just doesn't really work as an exercise space. That's why I joined the gym, which is only a 5 min walk from my house. I'm fine once I get there, it's just finding the willpower to get started.

@hufffflufff

Oh and decluttering always makes me have more energy afterwards for some reason!! Try to choose one room, declutter it, have a deep clean and maybe move the furniture around. Helps give you a brain reset!

Oh gosh, are you secretly peeking into my house? There is so much clutter and I know it weighs me down, but I'm so overwhelmed by it I don't know where to start. I should probably try though, it might seem help me to feel better.

If you are anaemic, you need proper iron tablets prescribed, not just over the counter supplements.
How much water do you drink? I found that consistently drinking two or more litres of water each day made a huge difference to my energy levels.
Also worth looking at how much sleep you get each night, and how stressed you are.

@cloudjumper

If you are anaemic, you need proper iron tablets prescribed, not just over the counter supplements. How much water do you drink? I found that consistently drinking two or more litres of water each day made a huge difference to my energy levels. Also worth looking at how much sleep you get each night, and how stressed you are.

The doctor told me which tablets to get but she said that it would be cheaper to buy them over the counter rather than on prescription, so that's what I have been doing.

I probably don't drink anything like enough water, so I will make an effort to tackle that. I do make an effort to get enough sleep but sometimes find it hard to drop off. I have a lot of work stress at the moment which is rather unavoidable, but I probably need better strategies for dealing with it. That's why I joined the gym tbh, because exercise definitely helps.