Constant lack of energy

[Meezer77]

For the last few months or so I've been feeling really sluggish, with low energy and am finding it hard to get the motivation to do even simple things. I think a lot of it is due to the lack of sunlight where I'm from as when I go abroad to somewhere sunny I feel like a different person. I don't think it's just cos I'm in my 40s as I've experienced this a lot during my adult life. Has anyone else experienced this and managed to overcome it?

[User1249x]

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=29578#p462874
some info on this

[aflatun]

For the last few months or so I've been feeling really sluggish, with low energy and am finding it hard to get the motivation to do even simple things. I think a lot of it is due to the lack of sunlight where I'm from as when I go abroad to somewhere sunny I feel like a different person. I don't think it's just cos I'm in my 40s as I've experienced this a lot during my adult life. Has anyone else experienced this and managed to overcome it?

Yeah lack of sunlight affects many people that way, often they're not even aware of it until you question them about it. Rest assured it's totally normal

I've never been to Scotland, but I've heard it can be an often dreary place, so there's probably not much you can do during certain seasons in terms of ensuring you get outside, etc? Some people find SAD lamps useful, some don't. Exercise always helps too.

[santa100]

For the last few months or so I've been feeling really sluggish, with low energy and am finding it hard to get the motivation to do even simple things. I think a lot of it is due to the lack of sunlight where I'm from as when I go abroad to somewhere sunny I feel like a different person. I don't think it's just cos I'm in my 40s as I've experienced this a lot during my adult life. Has anyone else experienced this and managed to overcome it?

Try outdoor exercises. They definitely benefit the body and mind. Running, biking, hiking, or any cardio would help.

[Dhammarakkhito]

lack of energy, sleepiness?

[thadubz]

According to some sources increasing your Vitamin D intake might help. Its very dark most of the year where i live so Vitamin D is added as a nutrional supply in many food products.

[Dhammarakkhito]

"Monks, there are these eight grounds for laziness. Which eight?

"There is the case where a monk has some work to do. The thought occurs to him: 'I will have to do this work. But when I have done this work, my body will be tired. Why don't I lie down?' So he lies down. He doesn't make an effort for the attaining of the as-yet-unattained, the reaching of the as-yet-unreached, the realization of the as-yet-unrealized. This is the first grounds for laziness.
[...]
"These are the eight grounds for laziness.

"There are these eight grounds for the arousal of energy. Which eight?

"There is the case where a monk has some work to do. The thought occurs to him: 'I will have to do this work. But when I am doing this work, it will not be easy to attend to the Buddha's message. Why don't I make an effort beforehand for the attaining of the as-yet-unattained, the reaching of the as-yet-unreached, the realization of the as-yet-unrealized?' So he makes an effort for the attaining of the as-yet-unattained, the reaching of the as-yet-unreached, the realization of the as-yet-unrealized. This is the first grounds for the arousal of energy.
[...]
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ati/tip ... .than.html

if you feel sleepy theres a sutta for that too https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html

The Blessed One said, "Now, what are the eight thoughts of a great person? This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who is self-aggrandizing. This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent. This Dhamma is for one who is reclusive, not for one who is entangled. This Dhamma is for one whose persistence is aroused, not for one who is lazy. This Dhamma is for one whose mindfulness is established, not for one whose mindfulness is confused. This Dhamma is for one whose mind is centered, not for one whose mind is uncentered. This Dhamma is for one endowed with discernment, not for one whose discernment is weak. This Dhamma is for one who enjoys non-objectification, who delights in non-objectification, not for one who enjoys & delights in objectification.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html

[Meezer77]

Thanks for the advice peeps. My tiredness will arise and pass away I'm sure. I'm saving up to get away somewhere sunny in winter.

[Meezer77]

According to some sources increasing your Vitamin D intake might help. Its very dark most of the year where i live so Vitamin D is added as a nutrional supply in many food products.

I've considered taking vitamin D pills. Not sure if they would work. Is there a brand you would recommend?

[perkele]

I've considered taking vitamin D pills. Not sure if they would work. Is there a brand you would recommend?

I think vitamin D pills helped me in winter when I was in Finland where there was only sunlight for a few hours a day, but it was still a "shock to the system" (and similar, but opposite, with 22 hours daylight making it hard to sleep around summer solstice, with no real "cure" [window shutters] against that.)
I noted a difference after eating those pills after some time. You need to eat some fat with them as well so the vitamin D can be dissolved and absorbed. A gulp of olive-oil a day keeps the doctor a way.

I think it probably doesn't really matter which brand. But I'm not sure.

[Dhammarakkhito]

olive oil has an unusually high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3, it may be a problem for someone already deficient in omega 3; excessive omega 6 intake is said to inhibit omega 3 absorption/conversion. this person's lack of energy may not be resolved with vitamins. what then?

[thadubz]

I've considered taking vitamin D pills. Not sure if they would work. Is there a brand you would recommend?

I think vitamin D pills helped me in winter when I was in Finland where there was only sunlight for a few hours a day, but it was still a "shock to the system" (and similar, but opposite, with 22 hours daylight making it hard to sleep around summer solstice, with no real "cure" [window shutters] against that.)
I noted a difference after eating those pills after some time. You need to eat some fat with them as well so the vitamin D can be dissolved and absorbed. A gulp of olive-oil a day keeps the doctor a way.

I think it probably doesn't really matter which brand. But I'm not sure.

I recommend trying products fortified with vitamin D rather than pills because of what perkele pointed out about eating fat so it can be dissolved and absorbed. Some Almond milk products might have this benefit. Also keep in mind that Low vitamin D levels may result from disease rather than cause disease. I also recommend you see a doctor if possible to clear out any other possible reason why you might be feeling this way if your symptoms are persistent.

EDIT: Persistent not consistent. Not a native english speaker, sorry.

[Meezer77]

Thanks I will try almond milk. I've had blood tests for thyroid etc which were clear. My mood can get low at times and in the past I've had bouts of anxiety/depression. I'm trying to eat healthier, hopefully this will help

[No_Mind]

Infrequent bowel movement is very often a reason for tiredness.

Also, you live in cold climate and perhaps your lymphatic system does not get squeezed enough to throw out toxins (that is why after exercise we feel better; all the gunk in lymphatic system is squeezed out by exercise). Keep hydrated and have OTC vitamin tablets for few days.

[Kim OHara]

For the last few months or so I've been feeling really sluggish, with low energy and am finding it hard to get the motivation to do even simple things. I think a lot of it is due to the lack of sunlight where I'm from as when I go abroad to somewhere sunny I feel like a different person. I don't think it's just cos I'm in my 40s as I've experienced this a lot during my adult life. Has anyone else experienced this and managed to overcome it?

Here's the medical approach - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20364651

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

If that sounds like you ...

I have a vague memory that one of our admin team suffered the same thing a few years ago. If I'm right, he may like to join the conversation.
Also, a friend of mine suffered it after moving from Africa (lots of sunshine) to New Zealand (much less) and Melbourne (ditto) but was magically cured when he moved to Perth (Western Australia) and was back in as much sunshine as he grew up with.
It fits with my own (milder) experience, too.


Kim