Too Sleepy

I think you just need some rest. It's sounds like you've got enough to stress out about without stressing about being tired.

I always want to go to sleep at 10:00, and if my body had it's way, I wouldn't get up before 7:00. Some people just need 9 hrs sleep to feel rested.

According to my recent physical, I'm perfectly healthy, thyroid and iron levels included.

Try getting the sleep you need, and if it doesn't get better then see a doctor.

The virus going around started like that for us. Take it easy, try treating it like an onsetting cold. Try beefing up on some immune supplements and see if that may work it through.

No advice to offer but good luck pursuing your nursing degree. I have been a nurse for 10 years and love it. It has allowed me to work outside the home (night shift) and still be a SAHM during the day. I am proud to say neither of my kids have ever gone to daycare (does preschool count?). I have even found time to be room mom for my second grader's class.

I would love to go back for my bachelor's and maybe pursue anesthesia but that will have to wait until both kids are in school. Once again, good luck and I hope you enjoy nursing as much as I do!

Have you been to the dr lately? This happened to me once - I would come home from work at 5 and sleep straight through to the morning. It turned out that I had mono. Hopefully that's not the case for you, but I would go to the dr and get checked out to rule out any medical problems.

Take some time for yourself first off!! Being a SAHM and going to school is like working a full time and a part time job!! It's ok to take a break from time to time!

If you find that taking some time for yourself isn't helping, you could just have the winter blahs. Too cold to go outside and play with the kids, the grass is half dead, brown leaves all over. Pretty bland out right!?! Have a picnic inside with your girls to make it feel more like spring is coming. Get some fruit or floral candles to make you house smell fresh and uplifting!! We are not superwomen, we can't do it everything all the time 24/7 as much as we would like to.

Go to the DR and get your iron level checked. The first sign our bodies give us that iron is low is the sudden onset of tiredness. Your DR might want to check your thyroid and a few other things too, just to be sure. If all is normal, consider taking a good multi vitamn every day for a little boost to your body.

But if you are tired at 10pm, go to bed! As we get older, our bodies change too and sometimes we can't be the night owls that we used to be. I used to be able to stay up till 11 and get up at 6:30 no problem. 2 kids and plenty of B-days later, it's normal for me to fall asleep on the couch 2 nights a week by 9!! And I still don't want to get up in the Am!!

Good luck! For a great candle, send me a message and I'll tell you about the ones I love that burn all the way to the bottom and smell up the entire room if not the house depending on the scent!!

S.

Hi T. - I used to be tired all the time too. I went to the doctor who ran a whole bunch of tests, including Lyme Disease. It ended up being a problem with my thyroid. You might want to check that with your doctor. I have been taking meds to balance out my Hypothyroidism, same as what Oprah has. When I miss my pills for a few days like when I go away for the weekend and get out of my routine, I start feeling tired again. Hope this helps. M.

You have a lot on your plate dear. I experienced the same problem. It can be so many factors that is contributing to your tiredness. These could include: 1.) burnout 2.) low iron, 3.) stress 4.) allergies 5.) poor nutrition-we tend to feed our families better than ourselves 6.)not enough excercise etc.

The best thing to do is to keep a journal of your activities. Make a daily list of a.) what you do b.) what you eat c.)how these activities make you feel and d.) when and how often, or when you feel the most run down. With this in hand, talk with your physician (just to rule out anything of serious nature).

In my case, I was in dire need of Iron supplements, better eating habits (it wasn't what I was eating, it was how often-I was skipping meals), an excercise plan, and finding some alone time to recharge my 'mommy batteries' (even if it's just 15 minutes a day).

Implementing these few changes in my life has made a huge difference. As mothers we are so into taking care of everyone else, that we forget about our needs. So take care of yourself, and your body will take care of you!

Hi T.. Have you ever been assessed for a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy? It affects different people in different ways. You might want to read a little about it online to see if it sound like something you might be suffering with, then talk to your doctor.

Many have been going thru this with the weather. But, try taking more iron, either foodwise - preferred, or stress tabs with iron, otc. You've been doing a lot and could be run down.

T.,
That happens to me sometimes -- I have been taking college courses since I graduated high school in 1989. I have my degree but am now working on my masters and have a baby, so I am often sleep deprived. I go for weeks on 5 hours of sleep, and I don't care what the experts say, I do think it adds up because, suddenly I will just be exhausted for a week or so. I have learned that when it happens I do whatever I can to let my body rest and then in a week or so I am fine and back to my 5 hours of sleep schedule.

Also, I think the moon cycles affect our bodies more than we know (no I am not a kooky person). I have worked with kids for years, and if they are all acting crazy at the same time I look at the moon cycle and 9 times out of 10 there is a full moon that day or the next day. So, just chart your tiredness to see if you can find a pattern.

If you don't feel better in a couple of weeks -- being a nursing student, you know you need to go see a doctor to have things like your thyroid checked out. Stress can do damage internally that we don't recognize. I never know I am stressed externally until I break out with hives or get sick then I think "ooooh maybe I am worried about something" -- I have lived in a constant state of stress for so long I can't detect it any more.

Good luck!

Have your thyroid levels checked. It's just a blood test. I had very similar symptoms. It was to the point where I would put a load on the washer, take a nap, put a load in the dryer, take a nap, fold the clothes, take a nap etc. I had ZERO energy....and I was only 26 and didn't have kids yet. I repeatedly went to the doctor, but they kept telling me I needed to eat better and exercise. I tried telling them that exercise was not an option because I could barely function. I was just soooo tired, I KNEW something was wrong.

Turns out, I have hypothyroid disorder. It causes your metabolism to slow waaaay down and fatigue/severe lack of energy are symptoms.

Hi T.,

Are you getting enough water? You'd be surprised how lack or it can effect your body! Also, consider nourishing your adrenals. I make a wonderful organic herbal tea for this www.LostRiverNaturals.com to check out the herbs I use; it's my Adrenal Tonic Tea. Also consider upping your iron intake; most of us are deficient and this can cause exhaustion, stress and fatigue. Some foods that are iron rich are alfalfa, apricots, spinach, sunflower seeds, oats, eggs, seaweeds, to name a few.

Or maybe your body is just telling you it needs more rest and getting to bed earlier isn't such a bad thing!

C.
www.LostRiverNaturals.com
HaNdCrAfTeD HeRbAl OrGaNiCs

I would definitely call the dr. Your iron could be low or you could even have a virus (like mono). Have you been feeling overwhelmed or depressed lately? Depression also causes sleepiness.

I wanted to go back and add that if you do go to the doctor, have your thyroid checked, too. Thyroid disorders can drain your energy.

Stress can cause that as well as your thyroid could be off. I was having the same sort of issues. I just started taking VEMMA and it really seems to help. I don't sell it but if your interested in trying it or finding out more info I can put you in touch with a fellow Mom who can answer any of your questions. We are all taking it now and really love it. It is great for getting all your vitamins and really gives me an energy boost and is 100% natural. And my husband just beat a cold he was coming down with by taking extra.

The suggestions already given are great and here is some more imput for you to consider. Are you taking a good quality multivitamin? If you are taking any synthetic that can even make you feel worse. If stress is a factor a good b-complex can do wonders. You might just start trying a few things like this and see what helps. I know that there are times I feel this way and often it is just stress and my body telling me to take a little better care. You might also consider if you have started using any new cleaners, detergents, or even personal care products. They have chemicals in them and you could even be reacting to something and your body is tierd trying to cope with it. Watch your sugar intake and try to eat the best you can. That will always help your body reguardless of what is going on. I could make some suggestions if you would like. I have trusted the same natural supplements for 25 years, raised my 11 children on them and wouldn't change for the world!

Sincerely,
K. B

www.shaklee.net/takecontrol

Hi T.,

There are several things that can account for being that sleepy. See if someone in your area still does LIVE blood work and can read it for you. Most that do don't charge that much for it. I don't know how old you are, but when I was little that was the primary way a doctor diagnosed problems. It still works better than the way doctors diagnose problems today!

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

It's called being a MOM! You are not a superwoman (tho we all like to think we are) and you need some time off. I've gone through that for years and quite some time ago, I decided it was time to take a ME day. I use to do them once every 2 weeks. Hubby takes the kids, I sleep in, he does meals, laundry etc and I do what I want. Usually get together with a friend for dinner that night as well.
Yes, it sounds selfish, but it sure helps!
This is all providing that there really is no underlying health problems-like Mono, which is the big thing this year.
Remember, raising kids, keeping a house, going to school, is all taxing your time-mentally and physically- so like anything else, you need a recharge now and then.
Vacations are great if you can truly get away!! We took a week many years ago to Massanutten, VA. Nothing there, no phones, mountains, trees, fresh air, it was wonderful. We did only what we wanted to do and loved every minute of it. Of course, Disney World is still #1.
So, go to bed early, take a day off from most or all of your obligations. Recharge, enjoy your girls.

You know, it's winter. Maybe your circadian rhythms are readjusting to the daylight hours reducing. Like a mini-version of seasonal affective disorder? I would just keep hydrated, and eat right. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day -- even if it's taking a walk (during the warm part of the day.) I know I've noticed that I'm falling asleep on the couch in the evenings too.

If you're truly concerned, see you doctor. But, I'll bet you're just fine!

Next time at the dr, have them check your iron levels. I am pregnant and have recently discovered that my iron is low. Fatigue is one of the side effects of that. And listen to your body....it knows what you need! Get the rest, sleep in if you need to!

It seems to me that it must be the lack of daylight, setting my internal clock to "sleep mode" so you might want to get some sunshine on your face, and also drink lots of water. Take vitamins and rest as much as you can-- maybe you're fighting something off!
S.

If you are able see your doctor...however it's sounds like your plate is full and your body needs some rest. I'd also see about taking a vitamin or two....my pharmacy is my friend I have them guide me when I've had situations I can't always see the doctor for when the purse strings are tight and I have to wait a few weeks.