The summer’s almost here, and hopefully we all feel a little more energised, thanks to the great outdoors, the longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, which positively influence sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. I love the summer. Every drop of it. And I love the feeling of lightness, brightness, the energy. Being awake and alive.

A friend of mine would say that because we’ve recently had a full moon, so our sleep may be affected negatively. People have hormonal cycles that coincide approximately with lunar phases and apparently, there’s a surge of spiritual energy too, which affects us in different ways. I don’t have any evidence for any of this, but some people believe the moon cycle may be a factor in how well we sleep. There must be so many other contributing factors we don’t completely understand. So let’s work with the ones we do.

The sun’s a big help as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know about you, but when it’s shining overhead I’m always happier. Being on the beach, among nature or out having fun always makes me more energised.

Stress or anxiety often make us feel tired. For me, overload or too many things to do contributes to this, and the feeling of jobs stacking up. One thing at a time makes for a much better lifestyle. And enjoying your work when you’re doing it is such a positive too. How soul destroying it must be to work at something that brings criticism, fear or dissatisfaction. So take time off. Walk away if you can. Diminish how important some of these seemingly-important things really are. The world won’t explode if you are ten minutes late replying to an email.

First of all, scan yourself. Ask yourself why you’re tired. It’s easy to remedy if you’ve been partying. Just sleep for a few extra hours. If you’re not able to sleep, ask yourself why. Could it be stress, or something easy to resolve like the room is too hot, or might there be an underlying issue you need to talk overwith a professional? What does your tiredness feel like? Is it an overexertion tiredness or a mental exhaustion tiredness?

And if catnapping in the daytime is what you need, go ahead. It works well for TC, Murphy and Batface.

The problem with tiredness is that you feel really really shattered, which means being lethargic and not wanting to do anything but sit around. This opens the door to feeling low and a depressed. Then you feel more tired and lethargic. It’s a vicious circle. Ironically, you need to move, even though you feel too tired to do it.

So I’m sharing my list of things I use to help me when I feel tired. Of course it requires a bit of effort to do any of them. C’est la vie. Here goes.

1. Eat often and well to beat tiredness. Small meals, as much as will fit in both hands. Three times a day, if it feels right. Healthy food. Enjoy what you eat mindfully, if you can. It’s all too easy to stuff a plateful of pizza down while watching TV and not realise what you’re tasting. Avoid feeling guilty about food too, if you can.
2. Go outside, get moving. As I said, and its so important it’s worth repeating, feeling tired is a vicious circle that makes me even more tired. It’s hard to break that sense of lethargy. Exercise is a brilliant way to help reduce stress and sleep better. Yoga. Walking. Dancing. Climbing. Cycling. Running. Going to the gym. Or just moving around a lot.
3. Find a nice place to be to relax and spend time there. Make it your own haven, your rest place or safe place. A cafe. The garden. The woodlands. The outside shed. Ikea. To name a few.
4. Sleep well if and when you can. And regularly. Try to make the environment calm, not too hot, not too cold. Go with what your body asks for. Lavender oil helps me sleep. Music. Dolphin sounds. Meditation – that really helps me. I’ve even fallen asleep listening to football. Whatever it takes.
5. Reducing stress always boosts energy. It’s hard to sleep when your head is buzzing with troubles and deadlines and anxieties. The other day, someone told me to write my anxiety down on a piece of paper and set fire to it. It was good watching my troubles go up in smoke.
6. Talking therapy beats fatigue. This is where good friends come in, ones who spot that you need to talk, who enable it and who listen. Somonene who I respect, who works making policies for a mental health charity, recommends that you ask your friend, ‘Is everything ok?’ twice. The first time someone may brush it off, smile, say ‘I’m fine.’ The second time, they know you mean it. Spending time with good people is a great way to boost energy, feel happy and sleep better.Help each other. If you have a problem, share it and ask for support. A good friend will be delighted to be there for you. Reciprocity is a great feeling.
7. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol if you can. (It’s not always an easy option…!) Drink plenty of water. Lots of it. Be mindful of what you’re putting in your body.
8. Avoid negativity. This is a big one for me, as I tend to react to what is around me. Some people are so positive and joyful and they make life sweet and easy and buoyant. But negative people who are critical, controlling and have nothing nice to say are to be avoided. If you’re not careful, their words hurt, they stick in your head and it keeps you awake at night. There’s no cure for it other than to surround yourself with positive people instead.
9. Avoid conflicts, unnecessary battles, and complete rubbish on social media. Pick your fights and make them important ones. Let the dross go. Don’t allow yourself to get dragged in.
10. Use the off switch regularly, and possibly before you need it.
11. Treat yourself with love, with respect, with the same kindness that you’d give the person you care for most. Avoid negative thoughts about yourself. They aren’t real or true.
12. Treats. Rewards. Love yourself. Because you’re worth it.

So here’s wishing you sunshine, happy times and sweet sleep, so that you wake refreshed and energised. Enjoy the summer. Stack up all that vitamin E, all those good antioxidants, and don’t forget to slap on the good sun cream.

Sending love.