Published on 12, July, 2020
I've noticed that my sensory overload/burnout is getting worse as I'm getting older. I used to be very energetic in my 20s, but then gradually burned out to the point where I couldn't work anymore. I used to need at least one rest day a week where I do absolutely nothing except lying in bed and watching Netflix, now I need 2 of them per week.
I recently finished my college course (which I did from home because Covid); once I finished everything, I was completely exhausted for a week. Today and yesterday I met up with friends, I had a nice time and walked quite a lot, and now I'm absolutely shattered. I'll definitely need a day of doing nothing tomorrow. Every activity seems to drain me, and it takes at least 24 hours to recharge my batteries.
I'm 32 so it's not like I'm ancient, lol. I eat healthy, regular meals, and I take vitamins, supplements, nootropics etc. so I'm not sure what else I can do to boost my energy levels.
Has anyone else experienced increased tiredness as they are getting older?
Spoon Theory - each day is allocated, let's say, 20 spoons of sugar (your energy levels). Friday burns more spoons because you've been at work all day and maybe met up for a drink after - and the social aspect burns a few more spoons than your work does. That gives you fewer spoons on Saturday morning, so you need to do fewer activities, or, less taxing activities to conserve your spoon count for Sunday and so on. It's a balancing act. There are some days where the laundry needs doing, and various other tasks, and I prioritize the thing that's most important to conserve spoons for the next day. If it can wait, it can wait. No wasted spoons.
It's a theory that came out a few years back and there's now a community of "spoonies" in the Facebook Group "Chronic Illness Memes" which is made up of all kinds of people ranging from CFS, to autism, and a range of other chronic conditions. It's a funny feed.
ha, this reminds me of Spoonerisms. My favourite is when giving a short speech or introduction to a group you say 'I see before me a mass of shining wits... and that's not just a Spoonerism'.