Dealing with fatigue

[Mr Hip Guy]

These days I am really feeling the burden of information overload combined with what feels like unsolvable world dysfunction. It's quite disheartening, and, at my age, disappointing, as I used to have hope for a better future. And I went through several weeks recently where I had a vague sense of fatigue that was quite unusual, but I noticed that I could easily be distracted from it with exercise and social activities.

I had an appointment today with my TMS "coach" (I'm not allowed to use the "T" word but she is actually a fully-licensed LCSW in another state) and we talked about the toll of unresolved emotional conflict which is at the heart of TMS, and also about what self-care looks like. It would be great if a hot bubble bath and a box of chocolates is all it would take, but what self-care probably looks like is acceptance. Acceptance and forgiveness. Especially self-forgiveness. I find that writing stuff down (aka journaling) helps bring these two things into focus.

I find I can relate with so much of what you've written. I do much the same - take in the doom and gloom of modern news reporting and interpret it into depression and angst and anxiety for myself.

One of the byproducts of getting older is that we gain perspective - usually this is a good thing - but sometimes that perspective causes us to interpret the direction we see "things" going as negative and not like the "good old days" that our subconscious firmly believes was better (if we think rationally, we know it's not).

I find myself personally triggered by perceived injustice and things being "wrong" in some manner - I carry this weight and it manifests in TMS symptoms and depression and both of these cause fatigue and lethargy. Those last two are the exact opposites of energy and motivation, something you only feel when you are hopeful. Things are not THAT bad anywhere now, but it still hard to feel hopeful.

 

[Diana-M]

I find myself personally triggered by perceived injustice and things being "wrong" in some manner - I carry this weight and it manifests in TMS symptoms and depression and both of these cause fatigue and lethargy. Those last two are the exact opposites of energy and motivation, something you only feel when you are hopeful. Things are not THAT bad anywhere now, but it still hard to feel hopeful.

Mr Hip! Yes, it’s hard to feel hopeful, but when you are, you get energy! Interesting. So today our goal is to get hopeful. (Not to heal from TMS.) How can you do that today? What would help? Here’s what works for me: —being grateful (even making a gratitude list helps)
—No news or social media whatsoever. Not one glance.
—Reading a good book. A book with a positive vibe.
—Listening to good music.
—Staying away from negative people. Even in your family. Take a break from them.
—Picturing something achievable in your current condition (for me, I like to picture getting outside more)
—Doing anything useful. Anything. I started emptying the dishwasher. It was hard but now I can do it. It always cheers me up to accomplish it.
—Sending love, help and encouragement to others. Giving love is very powerful!

Sending some your way! <3

 

[Mr Hip Guy]

Sending some your way! <3

What a wonderful post, thank you so much.

Your excellent list made me think of a few others:
- Dancing (whether someone is watching or not, just do it - the movement makes you feel better)
- Taking a walk or any type of super-light exercise.
- Putting something on the calendar to look forward to (a trip or an event like a concert or show, etc)

 

[Diana-M]

What a wonderful post, thank you so much.

Your excellent list made me think of a few others:
- Dancing (whether someone is watching or not, just do it - the movement makes you feel better)
- Taking a walk or any type of super-light exercise.
- Putting something on the calendar to look forward to (a trip or an event like a concert or show, etc)

Awesome! Yes, those are great!