The Motherhood Exhaustion Dilemma: Understanding Fatigue and Finding Energy Solutions

Are you tired of having no energy? Fatigue might seem like it goes with the job title of being a mother, but there are many things that can be done to fight fatigue and have you ready to try keeping up with the immense amount of energy contained within a child.

Causes Of Fatigue in Women

Poor Sleep

Despite how important we know sleep is, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to come by. Mothers, in particular, are even more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation, no matter the age of their children. New mothers have the sleep schedule, or lack thereof, of a newborn to attend with, often resulting in fragmented sleep throughout the night that leads to exhaustion throughout the day. Mothers of older children have all the stress and anxieties gathered during the day to think about, resulting in a racing mind that keeps them up all night.

In addition to difficulty falling asleep, there is also the problem of frequently waking through the night or waking up early in the morning and being unable to fall back asleep.

Some people also sleep all night but do not get a restful, good quality sleep, still leading to feelings of sleepiness during the day. This can be just as frustrating since you spend enough time asleep but still struggle through the day.

In some cases, the culprit of sleep problems is a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Insomnia makes falling asleep at a decent hour seem impossible, while sleep apnea can result in poor quality sleep and daytime drowsiness. Daylight Savings times also effect sleep we’ve compiled a guide with tips to help you gain better sleep to prepare for Daylight savings time.

Thyroid Imbalances

The thyroid may be small, but it produces essential hormones that keep most functions of your body in check. For example, hormones produced by the thyroid control your heart rate, regulate body temperature and manage metabolism.

Unfortunately, the thyroid can overproduce and underproduce hormones, both scenarios potentially leading to sleepiness. An overactive thyroid can lead to feelings of burnout, while a thyroid that underproduces can lead to feelings of sluggishness.

A doctor can perform a blood test to detect any thyroid problems, and they are often controlled through a thyroid hormone replacement.

Iron Deficiency

Women experience immense hormonal and lifestyle experiences that require more iron. Pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can all contribute to iron deficiency anemia, with the most common symptoms including fatigue and weakness.

Anemia is pretty common, with 29.9% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 suffering from it and iron deficiency anemia as the most common type.

Those who suspect they have anemia should visit their doctor, and a simple blood test can diagnose this condition.

Depression

While motherhood is often an exciting time, there are also immense hormone shifts that occur, especially in the months immediately following birth. These shifting hormones can contribute to postpartum depression in many new mothers, with sleep problems a common problem those with depression face. Some have insomnia, increasing daytime sleepiness, while others suffer from fatigue no matter how much time is spent asleep.

Low Glutathione Levels

Glutathione is an essential antioxidant that the body produces naturally, but as we age its natural production decreases. It plays a role in physical and mental activity, and deficiencies result in fatigue, feeling run down, and constantly getting sick.

Low glutathione levels can produce the following symptoms:

• getting sick more often
• decreased energy and endurance
• poor cognitive function or brain fog
• sore muscles
• difficulty managing weight
• poor coordination

How Women Can Boost Their Energy

Adopting the following lifestyle changes and additions can help increase your energy and provide mothers the boost they need to keep up with their children.

Adopt Healthy Sleep Habits

At the core of improved energy is making sure that you are getting enough sleep at night. However, conditions affecting women such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy can increase the appearance of insomnia-like symptoms, making the implementation of healthy sleep habits all the more important.

Adopting healthy sleep habits can help to promote sleepiness and good quality sleep. Some practices to adopt include:

• avoid caffeine in the hours before bed
• sleep in a dark and quiet place
• follow a sleep schedule

Healthy Diet

Foods high in sugar may provide an initial energy boost, but they quickly have you crashing, leaving you more tired than you started. It’s best to limit foods with added sugar and instead focus on foods with complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats.

Since women are more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia, it is also crucial to consume foods rich in iron, which include:

• fish
• beans
• lean red meats
• fruits
• leafy greens

Drink Enough Water

Just like food provides energy, water is needed to use it. If you feel a little extra tired or have a headache that just won’t go away, it might be your body crying out for water. Try to make a greater and more conscious effort to drink enough water throughout the day and see just how much more alert you are when not dehydrated.

Vitamins/Supplements

If you want a daily supplement to increase your glutathione levels and increase your energy try OGF®, Original Glutathione Formula®. Glutathione increases your cells’ efficiency; The more efficiently each cell in your body operates, the more ATP (energy) it can produce, the more ATP your cells produce, the more energy you will have available.

Celebrating Mothers

The month of May is a time to reflect on women’s health, and there is no woman more important in many of our lives than our mother. Mothers have a significant workload to tackle, juggling the care of their children along with careers and other responsibilities. It’s natural for mothers, and women in general, to suffer from fatigue but addressing problem areas such as poor sleep habits, dehydration, and low glutathione levels can be the key to making beneficial lifestyle changes. These small changes can make a big difference in improving the health and energy levels of mothers everywhere.