"From Exhausted to Energized: Embracing Cyclic Rhythms and Natural Solutions"

By understanding some of the root causes of fatigue and tuning into your natural cyclical ebbs and flows, you can start to regain your energy and vitality.

As we navigate our mid-30s and beyond, many of us find ourselves asking,

"Why am I so tired all the time?" This pervasive fatigue can be frustrating, affecting our productivity, mood, and overall quality of life. The good news is that this exhaustion isn’t something you have to accept as a normal part of aging.

By understanding some of the root causes and tuning into your natural cyclical ebbs and flows, you can start to regain your energy and vitality.

Why am I so tired?

One of the first steps in combating fatigue is understanding the various factors that contribute to it. Before we dive into the cyclic Rhythm, here are some key areas to consider:

Hormonal Changes

As we age, our hormones fluctuate, especially during perimenopause and menopause. These changes can disrupt sleep, decrease energy levels, and even lead to feelings of fatigue. Balancing your hormones through natural methods can be a game-changer.

Being Energetically Aligned

When we’re not energetically aligned—meaning we’re not listening to our true needs and desires—it can lead to a deep sense of fatigue and disconnection. Ignoring your body’s signals, whether it’s pushing through exhaustion, neglecting self-care, or suppressing your emotions, creates an internal imbalance that drains your energy. By tuning in to what your body, mind, and spirit are truly asking for and making choices that honor those needs, you can restore balance and reclaim your vitality.

Nutrient Deficiency

Our bodies require a host of vitamins and minerals to function optimally. As we age, nutrient absorption can decline, leading to deficiencies that contribute to fatigue. Common deficiencies in women over 35 include iron, vitamin D, B12, and magnesium. So increase this in your diet.

Nutrient-Rich Diet

Fuel your body with a diet rich in whole foods. Incorporate plenty of leafy greens, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates into your meals. Consider adding superfoods like spirulina, chia seeds, and goji berries, which are packed with nutrients that can boost your energy. Sometimes, a well-balanced diet doesn't cut it in times of imbalance. This is where I recommend looking at your nutrient levels and, if there are deficiencies, supplements can help to address this.

Stress Management

Chronic stress is a major energy drain. Whether it's due to work, family, or other responsibilities, prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, leaving you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. This includes our self-talk, the stories we tell ourselves, and trauma from past or present.

Mindful Practices

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can help manage stress and improve your overall energy levels. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and journaling can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and enhance your mental clarity. Even just 10 minutes of mindfulness practice a day can make a significant difference.

Movement and Exercise

It may seem counterintuitive, but regular physical activity can actually boost your energy levels. Gentle forms of exercise such as yoga, walking, or qi-gong can increase blood flow, enhance your mood, and help regulate your sleep patterns. Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement each day.

Somatic Practices

Somatic practices, which focus on the connection between the mind and body, can significantly boost your energy levels by helping you release tension and stored stress. These practices, such as deep breathing, body scans, tapping, shaking, or gentle movement, bring awareness to physical sensations and emotions, allowing you to process and let go of what’s draining you. By regularly engaging in somatic exercises, you can enhance your body’s natural energy flow, reduce fatigue, and cultivate a deeper sense of vitality.

Sleep Hygiene

Quality sleep becomes more elusive as we age, often due to hormonal shifts, stress, or lifestyle factors. Poor sleep hygiene can leave you feeling drained, no matter how many hours you spend in bed.

Prioritizing sleep is crucial for sustained energy. Create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation, such as turning off screens an hour before bed, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and engaging in calming activities like reading or taking a warm bath.

Hydration

Never underestimate the power of water. Dehydration can be a major cause of fatigue. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and consider adding a pinch of sea salt or a splash of lemon juice for added electrolytes.

Connecting to Your Cyclic Rhythm

Understanding and embracing your body's natural rhythm can be transformative for managing your energy levels:

As women, our bodies operate on a unique and powerful rhythm that can greatly influence our energy levels throughout the month. This cyclic rhythm, governed by the menstrual cycle, includes natural ebbs and flows of energy, which, when understood and embraced, can help us manage our energy more effectively.

Understanding the Phases of Your Cycle and How It Affects Your Energy

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases, each with its own distinct energy pattern:

• Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): The Archetypal Energy is Nourish

  A time to nourish when you are bleeding, a time for deep rest and surrender into the dreaming as you connect in and receive your wisdom. During your period, energy levels are typically at their lowest. It’s important to honor this need for downtime rather than pushing through.

  
  

• Follicular Phase (Days 6-14): The Archetypal Energy is Presence

  Following menstruation, your energy begins to rise as your body prepares for ovulation. Aligned with the energy of inspiration, motivation, curiosity, spring, and new beginnings. Use this energy to tap into your creative energy. A time to explore presence and ground your intentions.

  
  

• Ovulatory Phase (Days 15-17): The Archetypal Energy is Shine

  Energy levels are typically highest around ovulation. Aligned with the energy of expression and activation. Utilize this energy to manifest, nourish, and expand your inner light. This is the optimal time for high-intensity activities, both mentally and physically. You may feel more outgoing, confident, and assertive during these days.

• Luteal Phase (Days 18-28): The Archetypal Energy is Empower

  After ovulation, energy gradually starts to decline as your body prepares for menstruation. Welcome your inner wisdom as you reflect. What needs to be finalized, organized, or released in order for you to flourish? A time to say yes to your self-care. During the early part of this phase, you may still feel energetic, but as it progresses, you might notice a need for more rest and reflection.

  
  

Tuning Into Your Cycle for Better Energy Understanding

By tuning into these natural rhythms, you can plan your activities and self-care practices in harmony with your body’s energy levels. For example, schedule demanding tasks or social events during the follicular or ovulatory phases, and allow yourself more rest during the menstrual and late luteal phases. This approach not only helps in conserving energy but also in optimizing productivity and well-being.

Using Your Cycle as a Guide

Tracking your menstrual cycle can be a helpful tool in understanding your energy patterns. Journaling about how you feel each day in relation to your cycle can reveal patterns and help you anticipate when you’ll need more rest or when you’ll have the energy to tackle bigger tasks. There are also apps available that can assist in tracking your cycle and predicting energy levels.

The Power of Acceptance

One of the most empowering aspects of connecting with your cyclic rhythm is the acceptance of the natural ebb and flow of energy. Society often expects us to be at peak productivity all the time, but by honoring our cyclical nature, we can work in a way that’s more sustainable and aligned with our bodies. This acceptance can reduce feelings of guilt or frustration on days when energy is low, replacing them with a sense of empowerment and self-compassion.

Additional Tips for Reclaiming Your Energy

In addition to these practices, consider the following tips to further support your energy levels:

Listen to Your Body

Your body is constantly communicating with you. If you’re feeling tired, it might be a signal to slow down and rest. Pay attention to these cues and allow yourself the time to recharge.

Connection and Community

Engaging with a supportive community can also help boost your energy. Whether it’s through a women’s group, a book club, or a wellness retreat, connecting with others who share your journey can be incredibly rejuvenating.

The Role of Fasting for Energy

Fasting, when done mindfully and with proper guidance, can be a powerful tool for boosting energy levels. By giving your digestive system a break, fasting allows your body to focus on repair and detoxification processes. Intermittent fasting, for instance, can help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and promote better mitochondrial function—the powerhouse of your cells—leading to increased energy. 

Many women find that incorporating a fasting routine provides a noticeable boost in clarity, focus, and sustained energy throughout the day. However, it's important to listen to your body and choose a fasting regimen that aligns with your needs and lifestyle, especially considering your cyclic rhythm.

What I Like to Call "Energy Suckers"

Energy suckers are the people, environments, and activities that subtly drain your vitality, often without you even realizing it. These can include negative or demanding relationships, cluttered or chaotic environments, and even certain habits like excessive screen time or multitasking. 

Being around people who constantly complain, criticize, or drain your emotional resources can leave you feeling depleted. Similarly, spending too much time in environments that are noisy, cluttered, or filled with negative energy can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Identifying these energy suckers in your life is the first step toward protecting your energy. By setting boundaries, decluttering your space, and choosing to spend time in more positive, nourishing environments, you can preserve your energy and redirect it toward activities and relationships that uplift and energize you.

Reclaiming Your Power

Constantly saying yes to every request or obligation can be a major energy sucker. While it’s natural to want to help others and be accommodating, overcommitting yourself can lead to burnout and fatigue.

Each time you say yes to something that doesn’t align with your priorities or drains your resources, you’re essentially giving away a piece of your energy that could be better spent on self-care, rest, or activities that truly nourish you. 

Learning to say no, or even just pausing to consider whether a request is worth your time and energy, is a powerful way to protect your well-being. It’s about recognizing your limits and honoring them, which ultimately leads to a more balanced and energized life.

Feeling tired all the time doesn’t have to be your new normal. By exploring these natural solutions, you can address the underlying causes of your fatigue and begin to reclaim your energy. Whether it’s through mindful practices, naturopathic remedies, or simply getting more rest, there are plenty of ways to restore your vitality and feel like yourself again.

Remember, every woman’s journey is unique, so listen to your body and choose the practices that resonate with you.

With the right approach, you can move through your days with more energy, clarity, and joy.

Please note that if your fatigue is affecting your day to day life, I would recommend seeing your health care practitioner, to have a health check up and bloods taken.

Coryn x