Feeling tired sucks! It's one thing to have a big night and feel exhausted the next morning, but it's another to chronically feel like you barely have the energy to do more than what's required of you in a day; often waking up feeling like you've barely rested; or struggling to hold concentration. For some people, it may be easily rectified with identification of a nutrient deficiency (like iron or B12) and getting treatment and changing the diet, or making some improvements to your sleep and general eating habits. For others, it can be a more complex underlying issue, and / or require a health and lifestyle overhaul!
Read below for my approach to improving your energy and some of the topics that will likely be covered in our consultations, according to your symptoms, age, diet, lifestyle and other relevant factors:
The basics:
Ensure all basic essential tests have been completed by your doctor to rule out health conditions such as Coeliac disease, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar issues, thyroid issues and anything else relevant to your symptom history;
Be guided on optimising your nutrition and eating habits to best serve your energy needs;
Support digestion to improve nutrient uptake;
Learn how to read food labels to make informed choices for your energy and nutrient needs;
Ensure adequate hydration;
Assess the effect of caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants on your energy and the amount your body tolerates;
Discuss suitability of nutritional supplements to support energy and also according to your blood test results;
Be guided on a short-term elimination diet if experiencing any gut issues or have suspected ‘leaky’/permeable gut;
Learn how to best utilise exercise and movement to improve energy, and being in-tune to the types of exercise that are too strenuous for you at the moment;
Ensure beneficial sleep habits and learn what type of routine works best for you;
Assess the impact of daily stress, busyness and overwhelm on your energy. Understand Sympathetic Nervous System dominance and work towards incorporating different stress-reducing techniques into your day.
Advanced options:
According to relevant symptoms, learn about advanced testing options and different practitioner support to rule out, identify and guide treatment for conditions such as gut infections (e.g. SIBO, dysbiosis, yeast overgrowth), ‘leaky’/permeable gut, nutrient deficiencies, genetic polymorphisms, hormonal or biochemical imbalances, subclinical thyroid issues etc. that may be impacting your energy levels;
As appropriate, be referred to your doctor and any other practitioners for treatment of gut infections (both medical and natural treatment approaches) or other issues identified in advanced tests;
Be guided on different therapeutic modalities that may help improve your energy.
Maintenance:
Monitor your energy levels over 1-3 months to assess the impact of your menstrual cycle (women), work demands, eating habits, social life etc. Become more in-tune to your body’s communications on energy needs including appetite, fatigue, having good energy etc.
Connect with your body’s hunger, fullness and appetite cues;
Ongoing dietary education and support as needed to have good energy, mood and to ultimately feel your best - including any advice needed for meal prep, cooking tips, eating out with any diet restrictions or requirements etc.