It’s More Than Daylight Savings: Silent Causes of Exhaustion

It’s More Than Daylight Savings: Silent Causes of Exhaustion
By: Rumia Owaisi

It’s More Than Daylight Savings: Silent Causes of Exhaustion
The clocks have fallen back, exams and assignments are coming in full swing, and we’re all exhausted. It's just that time of the year again, right?  Well, maybe it’s not so simple.
In this post, I’m going to share three underlying causes of exhaustion and how to address them.
1.      Weakened Immune System
Although it may not hit you until you’re actively feeling sick, your immune system is constantly fighting off viruses and other intruders. If you frequently feel tired, it may be because your immune system is working in overdrive. Here are some ways to support immune system function: 
a.    Sleeping: I know it’s cliché, but trust me! I’ve been in school for a long time, so I know the challenges, but please try to prioritize sleep as much as possible.
b.     Getting vitamin D levels checked: Most Canadians are deficient in vitamin D. As students, a lot of us are now in class before the sun comes up, and out of class after the sun goes down, leaving us even more vulnerable to this deficiency! Consider getting bloodwork done to see if you’re low in vitamin D (which you likely are) and take supplements accordingly.
c.     Eating nourishing foods: Broths, soups, and whole fruits and vegetables are the way to go when looking to support immune system function. Keeping up with the latest wellness trends, on the other hand, can get overwhelming and complicate things! Eating an apple a day can genuinely help with keeping the doctor away.
2.      Keeping Tabs Open In Your Mind
When considering the sources of your exhaustion, it’s easy to focus on the physical causes and symptoms. While it’s important to watch out for the physical signs of overworking yourself (it’s not a flex to constantly hit the gym without resting), a lot of us may overlook the physiological toll of mental exhaustion. Keeping 57 tabs open in your mind catches up to you in expected ways and contributes to bodily fatigue. Consider:
a.     Getting things done in the moment: If you remember tasks at a time when it’s possible to get them done, try to complete them immediately so you can focus your mental capacity on larger tasks. Examples include the daily prayers, emails, and washing the dishes.
b.     Mixing things up: Being in school is an inherently intellectual activity. Giving your mind a break and engaging with your creative and practical side can free up some much-needed headspace. Doodling, baking, drawing, and fixing things around the house are all examples of activities that can help with relaxing the mind.
3.      Carrying Emotional Weight
​While most of us act like we’re okay, many of us carry emotional weight from all that is unfolding in our lives. Over time, suppressing emotion can feel suffocating and result in prolonged periods of bodily tension. I’ve been there before myself, and don’t suggest just holding it all inside. Instead, consider:
a.     Feeling things out: While it may be counterintuitive, spending time sitting with your feelings can help with letting your emotions process and flow through you. This way, uncomfortable emotions are less likely to linger and weigh you down for long periods of time.
b.     Channeling your energy into movement: Emotions are meant to push us toward something. For example, anger may motivate us to stand up for ourselves. Many times, however, we may not be able to act on our emotions in the moment and end up bottling them up, resulting in tension. Releasing emotion somatically through engaging your posture, de-clenching your muscles, stretching, and doing anything that will support your circulation can immensely help you physically feel better.
c.     Reaching out for support: You are not on this journey alone! Talking your situation out with somebody trustworthy can help with processing emotion and problem-solving :) There is free counselling available through UofT Health and Wellness, as well as through the Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto.