Work deadlines, personal commitments, daily chores – all these things can make demands on your life and slowly drain your energy. You may start to feel irritable and may even snap at coworkers and family members. That’s unlike you. What’s wrong with you?
It seems that life moves at a much faster pace these days. Your daily schedule is packed with tasks that need done, and you rarely have time to relax and unwind anymore. Your body may be giving you signals that it’s time to slow down, before your health becomes at risk.
1. Sleep problems
If you are experiencing sleep problems, you probably are doing too much during the day. You should be relaxed and ready to fall asleep at bedtime, and you should wake up alert and energised. Your body needs adequate REM and deep sleep during the night in order to take on the challenges of the day.
During REM, your heart rate speeds up and your brain is active. This is usually the stage of sleep where you have the most dreams. During deep sleep, your breathing and heart rate slow down. Your body is recovering from the activities of the day. If you aren’t getting enough rest at night, you might consider trying deep sleep gummies or herbal supplements. These will ensure that you get the rest your body needs.
If you are worrying or experiencing racing thoughts that prevent you from falling asleep, try keeping a notebook by your bed. Write down your thoughts as a way of releasing them from your mind so you can deal with them later. Make sure that your room is dark, cool, and quiet, too. This means avoiding electronics – including smartphones, TVs, and tablets – close to bedtime. The blue light can interfere with your ability to sleep soundly. Try reading or a skincare routine instead.
2. Trouble concentrating
Perhaps you find yourself having trouble concentrating at work or on chores at home. You may find yourself forgetting things more than usual. Perhaps you’ve misplaced your phone, even though you just had it. You don’t remember setting it down because your mind is thinking about many other things at the same time.
To free up your mind, start making lists. By writing down what you have to do, you are no longer trying to store them in your mind. The process of writing something down will also help you remember it, even though you no longer have to. Plus, you are organising the clutter in your mind, allowing you to be present when you set your phone down.
Trouble concentrating may also be linked to sleep problems. Be sure you aim for good sleep hygiene to ensure better deep sleep. Limit your consumption of caffeine, which can also cause the mind to flutter between topics, making it difficult to focus.
3. Feeling achy
Have you noticed that lately you are feeling achy all over? When you are constantly jumping between tasks without a break, your body becomes tense. You may start feeling sore in your back or neck, and you could begin getting pressure headaches.
Muscle tension is a common response to stress and is part of the fight or flight response. But the body can tense up due to work pressures, family struggles, and everyday stress. If your body is constantly tense, it can cause headaches and general body pain. You need to find a way to relieve the tension and relax.
You can manage your tension through progressive muscle relaxation. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Start at the top of your body and tense your forehead. Hold it for a few seconds and then release. Then move down your body to your jaw, neck, then shoulders until you reach your toes. Tense up each muscle group and release them. This exercise is a common way to relieve muscle tension and will help you ease any achy spots.
4. Stomach pain
Sometimes when you’re overwhelmed or stressed, you may experience pain in your stomach. Or the feeling may be more akin to butterflies like you get when you’re nervous. Regardless of the intensity of the feeling, it’s a sure sign that you are pushing yourself too hard.
You’ll often experience gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea or constipation, along with stomach pain. This is your body’s way of warning you to take it easy. You may be feeling anxious because of the constant go go go. Your life has become fast-paced and non-stop. Your body is making you slow down to handle the symptoms your stomach is throwing at you.
Watch your diet and ensure that you are consuming fiber-rich, healthy foods. Often when people are rushing around during the day, they either consume greasy fast food or forget to eat altogether. So, ensure you have healthy snacks available. Pack snacks like celery sticks with peanut butter, blueberries and yogurt, or a whole grain muffin. These foods are easy to eat on the run and are stomach safe.
Slow down
You may find yourself treating each of these symptoms individually. However, it’s best if you simply listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Slow down. Take your days off and recharge. Go for a walk outside and enjoy nature and the fresh air. Read a book or watch your favorite show. Meditate or journal.
Relaxing when you are able to do so eases the symptoms of stress that may have appeared in your life. Schedule time for self care. Otherwise you may find yourself overwhelmed and physically unable to continue at the pace you’ve been going. If your body says to slow down, listen and respond accordingly.
Adam Mulligan, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
