Our last discussion this month is on the most common complaint every doctor, including us, hears: “I’m just so tired”.

When we hear that from our patients, the first place we start asking about is sleep.

When you tell us you can fall asleep and stay asleep but are still tired, we must look deeper. The cause is stress, and there are basically 3 kinds:

1. Mental and emotional stress
2. Chemical stress
3. Physical stress

Mental and Emotional Stress

Mental and emotional stress entails finding the cause.

Is the cause home or work or both? While we are not counselors or claim to be, we can help if the solution is simple (which it often is!) With a brief conversation, YOU can quickly find some easy solutions by asking yourself a few questions such as:

• Can you tweak your schedule and be home when you need to be?
• Can you work from home?
• Do you need to get in counseling with your teenager, your spouse or just alone?
• Have you thought of finding a new job?
• Do you need additional help to take care of a loved one, or just to take care of your home?

Mental and emotional stress can be caused by excessive use of your devices, too much social media, news, and entertainment.

I have had patients increase energy and feel more rested after I recommended they stop looking at the computer once they get home at night and to decrease their social media, news, and entertainment on their phones and not to watch TV right before they go to sleep.

Physical Stress

There are so many things we KNOW will improve our physical well being. With a few questions and a brief conversation, we can help you determine a few things to help.

Solutions for physical causes may include:

• More cardio exercise
• Learning some specific exercises just for your personal physical condition
• Additional adjustments
• A new mattress or pillow
• Different sleeping position
• Moving more at work
• Desk stretches
• Standing desk
• Short naps

Chemical Stress

Chemical stress is more complex. It can be due to toxins that confuse your hormonal system or it may be due to the massive infusion of organic nutrients that your body hadn’t been able to absorb. If it is due to aging, we may need some supplements that replace the necessary vitamins and nutrients that your body can’t produce.

With a few questions, we can determine how to help.

• We may need to help you tweak your diet or add some supplements.
• We may suggest a 30 day cleanse. Every patient who has done our 30-day cleanse has noticed improved sleep and energy.

If sleep or lack of energy is a concern for you or a friend or spouse or neighbor, let us help.

Lack of sleep is a serious symptom that doesn’t “just go away”.

What is our goal?

We are here to help you experience optimal health and wellness in your day to day life.

We love seeing our patients become happier, more active and more engaged with life.

Give us a call and we’ll get you started right from where you are.

 

Dr. Julia Keiser