Sick or Tired?
After having my first child I was not surprised that I was absolutely exhausted. I don’t mean just take a nap and you’ll be completely refreshed, kind of tired. This was an entirely new kind of fatigue like nothing I had ever experienced. Endless hours of studying in grad school had not prepared me for this, not even 40 weeks of pregnancy!
By the time my maternity leave was coming to an end and my return to work was approaching I was convinced something was wrong. Self diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I marched into my PCP’s office asking for a complete workup, blood work and all. She reviewed my records and vitals, then she gently patted my hand and looked me right in the eyes saying, “welcome to motherhood”. What? Clearly she was misunderstanding my current state. She told me there’s nothing physically wrong with me. You’re a working mom and a wife, she said. Then shook her head as if to say, “girl this is just the beginning”. I felt gypped as I handed over my copay and left.
Well, two children later I can say she’s right about mothering and working….some days I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus. Every muscle seems to be screaming at me all at once. Now don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for my two blessings. They bring me an incredible amount of joy. BUT, our ancestors were right when they said it takes a village! I am very thankful for my village. Lord knows I wouldn’t be sane without them.
Even with a helpful husband at home, we know there are many things only the woman of the house does (I will speak more about this in a future post- wink). At a time like this when a pandemic has kept us home and juggling more than ever, the health of our bodies and minds are even more important.
So I will leave you with three things to remember as you face each day. Share these with the women in your circle:
Have a daily talk with yourself. Remember you are what you think. Purposefully think things that are true about yourself and your future. Focus more on what you have than what you don’t have. Read this uplifting article.
Exercise: Your body needs to release endorphins and lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Make it fun. Dance, walk, or choose a workout on you tube. You will have more energy, feel better about yourself, and improve your mood and self-esteem. Click here for more information.
Reach out to friends and loved ones. Connecting with others helps us beat feelings of isolation. Laughing with others, sharing stories, listening and providing support re-energizes and comforts. Check out this great read.
Article links taken from: Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School (health.harvard.edu), joycemeyer.org (everyday answers) and boldlyrise.com
