Feeling Exhausted? Here’s How to Regain your Energy

[@DeniseRedinger-ep6gy]

I’m 73, a retired schoolteacher, wife, mother and grandmother….I’ve experienced lots of different kinds of stress. I coped with it through exercise, reading, journaling and lots of prayer. I live in the USA and the stress from our recent election is a new kind of stress. I worry about the future my granddaughters. I cope with it by using the same methods I already mentioned but I no longer watch the news. I don’t scroll through Facebook as much, but I have found many helpful KZbin channels such as yours to help me each day. Thank you so much for your videos. Take care.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Bless you - thank you for your kind words. Wishing you all the best 💐

[@vivianhudacek1556]

@@DeniseRedinger-ep6gy sounds like we are twins-same age, occupation, family, reaction to the election, & less scrolling on FB. I also don’t watch the news anymore. I’m in TN, a very red state.

[@SharonHunt-sf3bs]

Im in NC, same here. But I make a game sort of, out of the news, I try and guess what will happen, and when, and who's who so I feel up to date, I just surf through, don't watch just one source. I read a lot too, non- fiction , learning new stuff all the time helps me.​@@vivianhudacek1556

[@JillK-re4gv]

Some great practical Ideas Jo. I think mental tiredness is so draining and is best helped by active rest. One of my favourite ways to do this is to walk in my local park whilst listening to a novel on Audible. This combines two active rests really! Then when I pop in the cafe for a coffee afterwards, that’s the third…and I feel so much better for it!

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Fantastic! Sounds like you’ve got this covered 😉

[@jackielouise7538]

I have noticed now that I'm in my sixties just how fatigued I get. I used to work part-time, but due to a change in my circumstances, I had to start working full-time at the age of 61. I had hoped not to still be working after 60, let alone increasing my hours! I will be able to claim my state pension next February when I reach my 66th birthday. I still won't be able to afford to give up working, but I can, at least, reduce my working week to 3 days and I can't wait! I just feel so tired all the time. There's so many things (hobbies) that I want to have a go at doing as well and I will have some time for them then. My work colleague is a similar age to me and we both say that we could do with closing the office door and switching off the phones for a little while in the afternoon and having a 'nana nap' 😊 I used to do meditation and I know I need to start doing that again as even just 15 minutes of that does help me to feel more refreshed.

[@evalindell7984]

It’s so important what you talk about… we forget that we need to slow down and take it easy between laps. I had to learn to relax when I got sick from stress and it helped, but it’s hard to find the right balance. For relaxation I listen to books, takes walks and sometimes I meditate or do yoga.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Sadly, It often takes a crisis for us to truly recognise what we need, doesn’t it? Thanks for watching 👀

[@moniques5545]

🙏🏼 Jo for mentioning teenagers…and peril. Things went sideways with my teen, and the last month has been more draining than at any other time in my parenting life. Vigilance is exhausting. Peril can be very real. I’d love if a video on - looking back now your kids are grown, what would you say to your earlier parent-of-young-teen self? Your calm wisdom is soothing.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

@@moniques5545 I’m so glad it helped. Funnily enough, I was talking to one of my children about recording a conversation about a time when they were literally in peril - what they were feeling,if I could have done anything differently to support them etc. I know it will be a hard conversation for both of us, but it might help open up a conversation between other parents and their children. In the meantime, your suggestion for a video is a good one. I’ll add it to my list for when I get home (currently in New Zealand supporting my daughter with a new 👶) what I will say here, without knowing your circumstances, or the age of your teen, so please forgive me if I sound trite, sometimes all you can do is let them know you’re there and that you love them and trust them to work things out. At one point that was all I could do, and it meant that the lines of communication were kept open and they weren’t afraid to ask for help when needed. And look after yourself! Sending love xx

[@moniques5545]

@@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond Thanks! I would love that video you have in mind.

[@juliecadman371]

All 3 kinds of tiredness. Long Covid sufferer and used to love walking; used to be my favourite form of relaxation. But now I just don’t feel rested doing anything. It’s like a demon that’s permanently inside your brain and body. Sorry to be so negative, but love your suggestions. Take care everyone. Health is so important. Do things while you can. x

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

I feel for you. I looked after my daughter when she had ME and I believe it’s very similar. Wishing you well

[@allisonryder4781]

I do gym workout 2x week with a trainer and that is for me! I want to be physically strong in my 60’s and beyond. I read in the evenings, and have one day a week alone during the day. My husband and I always eat supper together as well. We have 3 parents in their mid 80’s who all need our help and one has dementia. Both of us work as well. It’s a struggle mentally and that stress hits the body for sure.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

You’re ahead of the curve because you have the awareness that you need to nurture yourself too. Wishing you all the best!

[@ghadamarie555]

I agree with all the solutions u talked about.I'm almost 60 ,yet still working.Sometimes, I just want to be alone,but duties of life force me to go on working.Wish some day to rest❤❤❤❤.Thx,dear

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

The day will come. Meanwhile, carve out a little time to yourself each day 🌻

[@ghadamarie555]

@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond l will.thx for being interested.Blessings to you

[@SharonHunt-sf3bs]

Absolutely what I try and do! I'm learning lately sleep and rest are different, and that humour surely helps lighten the load. I'm in the USA, and yes, the crazy election stressed me, and going forward it's dicey, worrying , my kids and Grandkids ignore the news, and want to believe every conspiracy theory out there. Different world from when I grew up. I'm 63, widowed, so just me and my Maltese. Church has helped so much, I'm more positive, and more at peace.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

I’m glad you have found something that works for you. 🌼 the world certainly seems to be changing in strange ways x

[@vivianhudacek1556]

On target! In my 40s, while going through perimenopause, I was in the sandwich generation, caring for elderly parents who were seriously ill, while having a young teenager. My in-laws also became ill during that time. For 10 years we had non-stop chaos. I also worked full-time at a demanding job, which I loved, but I was EXHAUSTED! I spiraled into depression, which was scary & made daily life more difficult. Now retired, 30 years later, I take better care of myself bc it’s simply easier to do. I’m an only child & have always loved being alone. I NEED to be alone to recharge. Reading, gardening, lying on the couch with my pugs, doing yoga, listening to music, watching KZbin, cooking-all are my ways of relaxing. SO important to find those things which replenish us! I might also add that like many women, I developed thyroid problems & also found out, much to my surprise, that I was pre-diabetic. I went on the keto diet & thyroid meds & feel SO much better!

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

It is no wonder that we become so overwhelmed is it? I’m so glad you’ve found the ways to nourish yourself that work for you! 🌺

[@anjastarker-kaiser8338]

Thank you for your wonderful advices. I'm not in my 60th yet but I know being tired for many years. I try to find a way out of it. ❤❤❤

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Thank you for watching 👀 Be gentle with yourself 🌸

[@angelicamason1650]

Hi Jo. Yes, very tired - mental and emotional. My therapy is a weekly walk and coffee with a couple of good friends.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Good therapy! I think sometimes we underestimate the toll the mental load exerts. 💐

[@cinnamon-spice]

I'm 65, retired and live alone with my dog. All my grandchildren live far and wide and my parents are no longer here. So I do get to enjoy a lot of "me" time, which is lovely. But I suffer chronic widespread pain and stiffness from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, so I do have very low energy levels, which can be so debilitating. I've had to learn to pace myself and rest more duting a flare up. It takes me much longer to get jobs done these days, but they get done eventually, and some jobs I just leave until I get a relatively good day. A good night's sleep and keeping stress levels at bay is the best medicine.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

I agree. Sleep and pacing (without beating oneself up about it!) are key. Thank you for sharing 🌷

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

Do you recognise these 3 types of tiredness? Which of the 5 solutions listed have you tried?

[@jammyjay917]

I am tired most days and quite frankly I look tired... and I don't like it... yes I have our youngsters still living with us and we have older parents with health issues....going through the Perimenopause myself nearing the menopause...I also think wearing reading glasses alot makes us look tired too, it does me anyway... but once a week I do go swimming and have made new friends, my me time... just wish I didn't look tired but I do unfortunately

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

I can relate to that - I often glance at myself in the mirror and think I look as though I need a good night’s sleep! 🌼

[@flfl4871]

Being Jewish in this screwed up world is exhausting and painful.

[@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond]

I can only imagine the anguish, for all the people involved. The powerful play deadly chess and the people are pawns. Wishing you peace.