Lockdown Fatigue

You may have heard the term “Lockdown fatigue”, you may have even felt you resonated with this term during uncertain times but what is “lockdown fatigue” and what can we do to combat it? ⠀

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“Lockdown fatigue” has been described worldwide as a state of exhaustion caused by the long-term effects of C 1 9 and the changes it has caused to every aspect of your life. What you may not know is that this type of fatigue has been commonly known as “adrenal fatigue”’or “adrenal exhaustion” and has been around for longer than just the C 19 p_ndemic.. ⠀

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So, what is adrenal fatigue? Why are we now calling it “lockdown fatigue”?⠀

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Adrenal fatigue is an increasingly common term used to indicate depletion of the adrenal glands. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenals for use in the regulation of blood pressure and other metabolic functions. In response to common stressors, the adrenals release greater amounts of cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is thought to occur when the adrenals have become overtaxed by excess cortisol release and can no longer produce levels of cortisol necessary for optimal body function.⠀

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In our modern world the stress signals never seem to stop; We face the typical sources of stress around money, jobs and relationships. However, there are a lot of other signals that the body perceives as stress as well. These stressors include:⠀

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- Exposure to toxins – air pollution, water pollution, plastics, chemicals, processed foods, beauty products, perfumes, personal hygiene products and so much more.⠀

- Dehydration⠀

- Nutrient deficiencies⠀

- Negative thoughts, including negative self-talk ⠀

- Worry about the future, reliving past stress⠀

- Light and noise pollution⠀

- Lack of sleep ⠀

- Sedentary behavior ⠀

- Lack of sunlight ⠀

- Chronic infections⠀

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And this coupled with something we could have never all have planned for ... is the very reason we are all experiencing “lockdown fatigue” ⠀

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So, what can we do to combat this fatigue? ⠀

Diet - If you’re not eating poorly because you’re an emotional eater you’re probably eating poorly because being in lockdown and unable to do a thing has made you want to do even less and this includes going to the shop, am I right? And with Uber eats so conveniently at hand it’s easy to make poor diet decisions. ⠀

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It’s important to remember food is fundamental to our health and if we aren’t fuelling our bodies with the right fuel we can’t expect our bodies to do what we want them to do. ⠀

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Caffeine - Catch 22 here (don’t shoot the messenger) studies have found that consumption of coffee has the ability to increase cortisol production, which can further contribute to adrenal insufficiency. It’s probably best to avoid this whilst feeling already fatigued. ⠀

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Sleep / wake cycle - I know it’s hard for those who have lost a work routine during these hard times but waking as the sun rises and going to sleep when it’s nightfall is an important tool for regulating our circadian rhythm which in turn will help regulate our cortisol levels.⠀

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Set Goals - If you are out of work due to lockdown it may be hard to stay goal focused. Even if it’s as little as writing a to-do-list and ticking them off as you go this can be helpful in maintaining motivation. Start small and work towards setting bigger goals. YOU GOT THIS! ⠀

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Supplement Recommendations ⠀

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B vitamins - B vitamins play an important role in our mitochondrial health. ⠀

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Magnesium - Magnesium has the ability to improve energy, encourage the production of neurotransmitters, regulate cortisol levels and also help with muscular aches and pains. I personally recommend Magnesium Glycinate as it has a high bioavailability.

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Withania (Ashwagandha) - Research has shown that Ashwagandha can help normalise cortisol levels and normalising stress response. In addition, Ashwagandha has also been associated with reduced inflammation, improved memory, improved immune function and anti-aging properties.⠀

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Siberian Ginseng - Helps support mental and physical endurance and a healthy stress response

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