I’m sure you have had those days where you feel exhausted but actually did nothing all day. I know I have. In fact, this week, when I was grieving for my husband for three days, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. But… I had done nothing but lay on the couch. Thursday I arose from the dead, and became super energized. Started planning Spring cleaning and it was still December! The more I did, the more energy I had. Even had trouble staying asleep because I had so many things I wanted to do and my brain would not shut up!

Why does this happen? Well, according to psychological research, mental tiredness (which also affects us physically) is the product of a day filled with wasted thought, anxiety, worry and/or resentment. These negative feelings sap us of our energy, mental clarity and leave us with the feelings of an exhausting day.

It is in our nature to search for mental or physical stimuli. When it doesn’t happen, we get into a “boredom” mode, which tells you nothing fun or exciting will happen. in this mode we decrease the levels of dopamine in our brain, which is an important neurotransmitter in our reward/motivation system, and the effects of such a drop in dopamine levels will impact the body. Thus, exhaustion.

If we can awaken to these moments, let go of our resistance to trying days and times, we may still have moments of physical tiredness but they will not have the sledge hammer effect upon our mental state that doing nothing causes. And, we will indeed not feel so drained and exhausted.

If you are feeling this way, get up, get going, pick one thing and do that, pick another and do that and on and on. Before you know it you will be bounding with energy and the dopamine will be increasing exponentially.

You will feel better, I promise. It always works for me but sometimes it requires a kickstart to my brain neurotransmitters to get going. Jumper cables, so to speak.

Happy Day,

DeeDee