If You’re Always Tired, Read This
I had a best friend named Gary whom I met while working at a coffee shop a couple of years back. He was 86 and a local farmer here. Over time, we got to know each other well, and I also met his brother, Scott.
Last week, Scott asked if I could help him with his horses, and I JUMPED at the opportunity.
7 a.m.?
Yep. I’ll be there.
I pulled up to his farm at 7 a.m. every day. I’d help brush the horses, clean their hooves, get their water together, do the morning duties, and sometimes have a coffee with him to talk about life before the day began.
As I drove my Bronco back home, looking out at the open fields as the sun rose,I felt such a sense of peace as I went into my workday.
On Friday, I couldn’t go to the farm because my routine was different, and I wouldn’t have been able to make it in time. The entire day, I felt like something was “off.”
I felt more rushed.
In that moment, I realized how important it is to do things that aren’t always “productive” or “moving you toward your goal,” but that genuinely fill your soul up.
This was Alvin, my buddy I took care of.
What I think
We live in a busy, fast-paced world.
Everything is optimized for efficiency, and it can feel like if it doesn’t move you toward your goal, you shouldn’t be doing it.
Wrong.
I’m all about setting goals, going after them, and staying focused.
However,we aren’t actually living life if we let days pass us by for the sake of productivity.
Sometimes you’re tired not because you need more sleep.
Sometimes you’re tired because you need more fun and more “living” in your life— and that’s not found through a phone.
The thing that feels the most unproductive (aka me helping out with horses at 7 a.m.) is often the very thing that makes me more productive (being able to focus better at work because I did that).
Don’t forget, on the path of pursuit, to do things you enjoy along the way.
Fun fact: A study published in theJournal of Environmental Psychologyfound that just20 minutes spent in naturesignificantly lowered cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone), with the biggest benefits occurring between20–30 minutes outdoors.
Lower cortisol is associated with improved focus, better mood, and less mental fatigue.
Go ride a horse.
Go take a walk outside.
Go do a painting class.
The one degree shift
Go do something fun for the sake of fun this week. It doesn't have to be long or take up a whole afternoon.
You'll be amazed at how that can shift your state in an instance.
Want to learn more?
Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Paige to discuss all things perimenopause, menopause, and hormones.
So many women are never truly taught how their bodies function through these seasons of life, which often leaves them feeling frustrated, confused, and discouraged when things start to shift.
In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in your body during perimenopause — from changing hormones and common symptoms to energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, training, and what you can do to better support yourself through it all.
If you’ve ever felt like your body is changing and no one gave you the manual, this conversation is for you.
